MP expresses disappointment in badger ruling

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, has expressed his disappointment at the High Courts Decision to uphold an appeal to halt the badger cull in Wales.

Roger Williams said:

"This news will be devastating to farmers not just in Wales but throughout the UK and will result in many thousands of cattle having to be slaughtered over the coming years as bovine TB continues to spread.

"The farming industry was looking to Wales to determine whether a cull would be effective in reducing the levels of TB in cattle and this will no longer be possible.

"It is essential that all decisions, but particularly ones of this importance, are based on sound science.


"A program of vaccines, regular testing and a pilot cull of badgers, as recommended by the Government’s former chief scientist, Sir David King, and the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee, would be far more effective in reducing the rates of bovine TB.

"The Government must now reconsider their position on the role that a pilot badger cull in England could play in addressing this important issue."