Wildlife Groups raise pressure in Bern Convention badger cull case against the UK Government
- Badger Trust Staff Team
- Aug 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Further submissions made to the ongoing legal challenge in Europe whilst the government continues to ‘honour’ existing cull licences.
Born Free, Badger Trust and Eurogroup for Animals raise pressure with further submissions to the case brought against the UK government on badger culling under the Bern Convention (the UK is a signatory to this Europe-wide agreement).
The complaint alleges the government is in breach of international wildlife treaty obligations after failing to consider the cull’s impact on the badger population. The original complaint was lodged with the Bern Convention in 2019 and remains on file until 2026, an unprecedented decision.
The coalition of animal protection groups have now stated that a number of additional factors contribute to the submission:
The continuation of the badger cull despite stating the government stating in its election manifesto of 2024 that it was ineffective.
The fact that around 30,000 badgers have been marked for killing this year and a further intensive cull is planned from September 2024 that could lead to tens of thousands more badgers being marked for slaughter.
The present supplementary cull went ahead against the scientific advice of the licensing body Natural England’s Director of Science who stated it would not help reduce the spread of bTB in cattle.
The publication of a scientific paper by Togersen et al which undermines the original thinking behind the badger cull.
The fact that, despite the UK government’s previous submissions saying they were ending the cull, it is presently considering proposals for an indefinite rolling badger cull in a recently run consultation.
Underlining all this is the fact the government is meant to be providing more accurate population estimates for badgers to show local extinction events are not happening.
Presently, the only counts the government seems to carry out are estimates from the people shooting the badgers, and there has not been anything like a robust figure for many years. This should be of deep concern to everyone who supports nature and should be of great interest to the Bern Convention.
Peter Hambly, Chief Executive of Badger Trust, commented:
“Legal challenges at home and challenges in Europe continue whilst the government continues to ‘honour’ existing culling licences, ignoring its own statement in its manifesto that badger culling is ineffective.
“What is their justification for continuing the slaughter of a protected native species?”
Join in with the National Day of Action Against the Badger Cull on Tuesday, 3 September
Badger Trust is holding a National Day of Action Against the Badger Cull on Tuesday, 3 September 2024. Will you join in?
Wildlife groups and badger protectors around the UK will come together in a powerful display of unity to call for the new government to end the cull as intensive badger killing begins again in September.
Join us outside Parliament in London
The morning will start with multiple anti-cull petition presentations at Defra.
From 11 am to 1.30 pm, supporters will gather in Parliament Square, London, where we will hold a peaceful, legal demonstration against the badger cull.
From 1.30 pm, supporters will enter Parliament with us for a mass lobby of MPs and call for an immediate end to the ineffective and unethical cull.
Join in from home
You can still make a difference for badgers from your home:
Arrange a meeting with your newly elected MP that week. Tell them you're advocating for an immediate end to the cruel badger killing.
Email your newly elected MP about the cull and why you want them to represent your views and stop the cull now.
