Natural England interview on badger control policy unacceptable

The NFU President has written a formal letter of complaint to the Defra Secretary of State after an appearance by Natural England’s executive director for Science on the BBC Farming Today programme.

Peter Kendall sent the letter to Caroline Spelman after Andrew Wood appeared on the programme on Thursday August 25 to discuss Natural England’s formal response to government proposals on badger controls.

Speaking about the letter Mr Kendall said: "It was already bad enough that Natural England had submitted an extremely unhelpful response to the consultation on issuing licences to cull badgers. But for an official of the Agency charged with delivering government policy to appear on the radio arguing against government policy is in my view unacceptable.

"The ultimate aim, to eradicate bTB, will require concerted working from all parties. I have asked the Secretary of State to ensure that all Government agencies work towards this objective."