Public opinion divided over badger cull

Badger culls can legally start in the West on Saturday. Credit: PA

1,763 people in England and Wales have been asked for their views in a YouGov poll on the two badger cull trials that can begin in Gloucestershire and Somerset on Saturday.

The cull is part of a range of measures, and in specific infected areas, in an attempt to control tuberculosis in cattle.

  • 34% of people opposed the badget cull

  • 29% of people supported the policy

  • 22% of people do not know

  • 15% of people had no strong views

  • 27% of people who opposed the cull would change their mind if it meant TB did not spread to other areas of the country

The Government in England says culling of the protected animal, which can spread TB to cattle, is necessary as part of efforts to cut spiralling disease rates in dairy and beef herds, but opponents say the policy is not justified by the science and will be inhumane.

In Wales, culling has been rejected in favour of a badger vaccination programme.

Cows in a field in Somerset. Credit: ITV News West Country

Dairy farmer Rob Harrison, who keeps a herd of 220 cows in Gloucestershire, currently has TB on his farm.

He said the farm had no problems for 30 or 40 years, but in the last five or six years has been in and out of restrictions imposed in the wake of positive bovine TB tests.

As a result he is not able to develop his business in ways he would like, such as diversifying into beef.