The government's controversial programme to kill badgers in an attempt to eradicate bovine TB is to be extended into 11 new areas of western and southern England. New licences have been issued for parts of Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire, and licences have been renewed for areas of Gloucestershire and Somerset. More than 10,000 badgers were culled last year. Opponents (such as the Badger Trust, here) say there is no evidence that culling is effective.
Defra is planning to restart a badger vaccination programme which was suspended due to a global shortage of TB vaccine. A new advisory service for farmers and tighter biosecurity measures have also been announced -- read more here.
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