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Badger cull: First pilot in Somerset believed to be over | Badger cull: First pilot in Somerset believed to be over |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A six-week cull of badgers in west Somerset is believed to have ended. | A six-week cull of badgers in west Somerset is believed to have ended. |
The controversial pilot, which has been heavily fought by campaigners, was overseen by Defra in an attempt to stop the spread of TB in cattle. | The controversial pilot, which has been heavily fought by campaigners, was overseen by Defra in an attempt to stop the spread of TB in cattle. |
A similar pilot in west Gloucestershire is thought to still be under way. Marksman in both counties are aiming to kill a total of 5,000 badgers. | A similar pilot in west Gloucestershire is thought to still be under way. Marksman in both counties are aiming to kill a total of 5,000 badgers. |
Defra has refused to comment on the success of the cull and neither it nor the NFU could confirm it has ended. | Defra has refused to comment on the success of the cull and neither it nor the NFU could confirm it has ended. |
Jay Tiernan, spokesman for Stop the Cull, said protesters had "totally destroyed" the pilot. | Jay Tiernan, spokesman for Stop the Cull, said protesters had "totally destroyed" the pilot. |
Every night for six weeks, volunteers held patrols of both cull zones to monitor badger setts and worked to disrupt the marksman from shooting. | Every night for six weeks, volunteers held patrols of both cull zones to monitor badger setts and worked to disrupt the marksman from shooting. |
Avon and Somerset Police said just three arrests had been made during the six-week period. In Gloucestershire, 18 people were arrested. | Avon and Somerset Police said just three arrests had been made during the six-week period. In Gloucestershire, 18 people were arrested. |
Mr Tiernan said the methodology behind the cull "isn't sound". | |
He added: "There's a group of badgers, you start shooting them and they disperse. | |
"Secondly the shooters can't get at the badgers to shoot them because we're there." | |
The government licensed the shooting to test whether culling can be carried out in a safe, humane and effective way. | The government licensed the shooting to test whether culling can be carried out in a safe, humane and effective way. |
It will analyse the results from both pilots to decide whether to extend the culling of badgers to other parts of the country. | It will analyse the results from both pilots to decide whether to extend the culling of badgers to other parts of the country. |
Supporters say it is the only way to eradicate the spread of TB to livestock. | Supporters say it is the only way to eradicate the spread of TB to livestock. |
James Small, the Somerset chairman of the National Farmers' Union, said: "These are only two pilots and just represent a small step in trying to combat this disease, but I think there is a sense, at least, that a step has been taken." | James Small, the Somerset chairman of the National Farmers' Union, said: "These are only two pilots and just represent a small step in trying to combat this disease, but I think there is a sense, at least, that a step has been taken." |
No details on the total number of badgers shot have yet been released despite requests from the BBC for details. | No details on the total number of badgers shot have yet been released despite requests from the BBC for details. |
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