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Anti-badger cull rally held in London as pilot culls begin Anti-badger cull rally held in London as pilot culls begin
(35 minutes later)
Several hundred people have attended a rally in London to oppose badger culls aimed at tackling TB in cattle.Several hundred people have attended a rally in London to oppose badger culls aimed at tackling TB in cattle.
Groups of farmers have been given licences to conduct culls under conditions which include having trained marksmen to shoot free-running badgers.Groups of farmers have been given licences to conduct culls under conditions which include having trained marksmen to shoot free-running badgers.
The cull can take place over any continuous six-week period until 1 December next year. The cull can take place over any continuous six-week period until 1 December.
Opponents have said the cull will not make a "meaningful difference" in reducing TB levels in cattle.Opponents have said the cull will not make a "meaningful difference" in reducing TB levels in cattle.
'Smash the BNP''Smash the BNP'
Campaigner Paul Hornsby said: "Yes I live in a city, but I have a family of foxes living in my back garden and I believe it's their world too.Campaigner Paul Hornsby said: "Yes I live in a city, but I have a family of foxes living in my back garden and I believe it's their world too.
"I don't believe we have any right to kill these animals, badgers or foxes.""I don't believe we have any right to kill these animals, badgers or foxes."
A minor scuffle broke out as the rally was not allowed to proceed to Parliament Square or Westminster Abbey because a BNP march was taking place.A minor scuffle broke out as the rally was not allowed to proceed to Parliament Square or Westminster Abbey because a BNP march was taking place.
A group of anti-cull protesters set fire to a pile of newspapers, causing smoke to drift over the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.A group of anti-cull protesters set fire to a pile of newspapers, causing smoke to drift over the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.
Eyewitness Ryan Barnes said anti-BNP and anti-cull protesters later began chanting "Save the badgers, smash the BNP" together.Eyewitness Ryan Barnes said anti-BNP and anti-cull protesters later began chanting "Save the badgers, smash the BNP" together.
'Terrible price''Terrible price'
During the rally, Queen guitarist Brian May renewed calls for ministers to change their mind about the cull.During the rally, Queen guitarist Brian May renewed calls for ministers to change their mind about the cull.
He said: "The great bit of new information is it has now been demonstrated that the cull cannot make economic sense.He said: "The great bit of new information is it has now been demonstrated that the cull cannot make economic sense.
"It will lose the taxpayer money rather than save it."It will lose the taxpayer money rather than save it.
"That was really the last shred of reason that you could give for this cull going ahead."That was really the last shred of reason that you could give for this cull going ahead.
"It is a very good time for Mr Cameron to reconsider and withdraw from this monstrous cull, in the public interest.""It is a very good time for Mr Cameron to reconsider and withdraw from this monstrous cull, in the public interest."
The government argues that the cull was necessary as part of efforts to stop spiralling numbers of outbreaks of TB in dairy and beef herds, which led to 28,000 cattle being slaughtered in England last year.The government argues that the cull was necessary as part of efforts to stop spiralling numbers of outbreaks of TB in dairy and beef herds, which led to 28,000 cattle being slaughtered in England last year.
Without action, infection and costs will continue to soar, it is claimed.Without action, infection and costs will continue to soar, it is claimed.
Labour, which is against the cull, has tabled an opposition debate in the Commons for Wednesday.Labour, which is against the cull, has tabled an opposition debate in the Commons for Wednesday.
A YouGov poll released on Friday showed 34% of people oppose a cull, 29% support the measure, while the remainder did not know or had no strong feelings.A YouGov poll released on Friday showed 34% of people oppose a cull, 29% support the measure, while the remainder did not know or had no strong feelings.
A long-term study has shown that culling 70% of badgers in a particular area can reduce the disease in herds by 16%.A long-term study has shown that culling 70% of badgers in a particular area can reduce the disease in herds by 16%.
In west Gloucestershire the aim is to shoot up to 2,932 badgers in the first year of the cull.In west Gloucestershire the aim is to shoot up to 2,932 badgers in the first year of the cull.
In west Somerset, the target is 2,162 badgers, bringing the total number to 5,094 in this period.In west Somerset, the target is 2,162 badgers, bringing the total number to 5,094 in this period.
This will equate to about 70 badgers being killed every night in west Gloucestershire and about 50 a night in west Somerset.This will equate to about 70 badgers being killed every night in west Gloucestershire and about 50 a night in west Somerset.
A third area, Dorset, is being considered for a cull, but a licence is not yet in place.A third area, Dorset, is being considered for a cull, but a licence is not yet in place.
Farming minister David Heath said: "What we're trying to see in these pilot culls is whether it can be done humanely, safely and efficiently."Farming minister David Heath said: "What we're trying to see in these pilot culls is whether it can be done humanely, safely and efficiently."
He said the culls were part of a wider strategy to improve bio-security, and that vaccines - suggested by opponents of the cull - were not ready yet and could not be used effectively.He said the culls were part of a wider strategy to improve bio-security, and that vaccines - suggested by opponents of the cull - were not ready yet and could not be used effectively.
He said other countries such as Ireland and New Zealand had adopted "similar policies" successfully to deal with the issue.He said other countries such as Ireland and New Zealand had adopted "similar policies" successfully to deal with the issue.