Cull stops early in Gloucestershire
Badger culling in Gloucestershire was stopped ahead of schedule on Saturday (November 30), as it appeared unlikely that targets would be met.
An eight-week extension of the cull licence was granted by Natural England on October 23, after shooters fell short of their target during the initial cull period, removing just 30 per cent of the estimated badger population.
With the aim of effectively reducing bovine TB in cattle, the cull target was to remove 70 per cent of badgers from the area.
While the extended license was due to end on December 18, the decision was made to cease culling at noon last Saturday, after discussions between Natural England, the National Farmers Union and the cull company.
Any significant reduction in badger numbers over the coming weeks was deemed unlikely, based on the declining amount seen by contractors.
A pilot cull in Somerset was also granted a three-week extension after 60 per cent of the badger population was removed. Following the extension period, Defra reported that a total of 940 badgers were killed - representing 65 per cent of the estimated population.
It is expected that parliament will be updated today on the total number of badgers that were killed during the extension period in Gloucestershire.
