Thousands of Derbyshire residents voice concerns over badger cull

A badger cull is expected to be announced shortly and to begin across more than 50 areas in England this autumn.

A list of the cull areas, believed to have been leaked by government, revealed several areas including Derbyshire appearing on the list for the first time.

Daniel Zeichner, shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs, joined the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust vaccination team in August to take part in a vaccination.

He said: “Bovine TB is a horrible disease, causing distress and heartbreak for British farmers and huge costs for the taxpayer.

"We all want to see an end to it.

"This requires improved livestock management systems and vaccination for badgers and cattle.

"But the government seems determined to keep culling more and more badgers. This must stop.”

This is not the first time Derbyshire residents have resisted a badger cull.

Last year, more than 4,000 residents voiced their opposition, contacting local MPs and national government. The campaign was a success and the cull license was not issued.

Tim Birch, director of nature recovery at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, believes that this reversal has angered the local community.

He said: “After the decision last year not to kill Derbyshire badgers, and with the governments apparent commitment to expanding vaccination, a cull here makes absolutely no sense.

"It is a betrayal of the hundreds of volunteers what have worked so hard on badger vaccination, goes against the government’s own criteria and completely ignores the wishes of local residents.

"If it comes the cull will not discriminate.

"Thousands of badgers, vaccinated or not, will be shot unless we prevent it.

"The thought is horrifying.”

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is calling for local residents to add their voice to the campaign and contact their MP via their online action at www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.