THE Country, Land and Business Association has welcomed the government announcement for the control of badgers in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset to control bovine TB.

Targeted badger culls in the three counties have now been authorised to take place this year.

DEFRA is also seeking views on changes to the rules on cattle testing, the criteria for areas seeking a badger control licence and the right approach to controlling TB in non-bovine animals.

CLA South West Director John Mortimer said: “Controlling the badger population is a vital part of the Government’s comprehensive 25-year strategy for controlling bovine TB. We strongly support the decision to licence the culling of badgers in these three areas.

“Farmers in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset are living through a nightmare and we must do all we can to support them and prevent the spread of this terrible disease.

“We will support all measures that are necessary to deliver the strategy, and will respond constructively to the important questions raised in the consultations published.”

Gloucestershire-based campaign group Gloucestershire Against Badger Shooting opposes the cull stating the figures from the previous two years show the cull has not worked and leads to the suffering of badgers. They also state the overwhelming cost is unfair to taxpayers.