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Badgers 'moved goalposts' says minister Owen Paterson Badgers 'moved goalposts' says minister Owen Paterson
(about 3 hours later)
A government minster said "badgers moved the goalposts" when asked why marksmen failed to reach a cull target.A government minster said "badgers moved the goalposts" when asked why marksmen failed to reach a cull target.
A pilot badger cull in west Somerset may be extended by up to three weeks in an effort to make up the shortfall.A pilot badger cull in west Somerset may be extended by up to three weeks in an effort to make up the shortfall.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson was asked if he had "moved the goalposts" by claiming the cull was a success.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson was asked if he had "moved the goalposts" by claiming the cull was a success.
"The badgers moved the goalposts. We're dealing with a wild animal, subject to the vagaries of the weather and disease and breeding patterns," he replied."The badgers moved the goalposts. We're dealing with a wild animal, subject to the vagaries of the weather and disease and breeding patterns," he replied.
The pilot culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset set out to study if badgers could be killed safely, effectively and humanely.The pilot culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset set out to study if badgers could be killed safely, effectively and humanely.
It is being carried out in an attempt to control TB in cattle, which can be spread by badgers. Opponents say it will have no impact. They are being carried out in an attempt to control TB in cattle, which can be spread by badgers. Opponents say they will have no impact.
'Reduction in disease''Reduction in disease'
The plan was to kill 70% of badgers in the areas of west Somerset and Gloucestershire by free shooting.The plan was to kill 70% of badgers in the areas of west Somerset and Gloucestershire by free shooting.
Across both regions this meant around 5,000 badgers were to be killed in total.Across both regions this meant around 5,000 badgers were to be killed in total.
But Defra sources said these targets were based on population estimates from 2012 that have proved to be highly inaccurate.But Defra sources said these targets were based on population estimates from 2012 that have proved to be highly inaccurate.
In west Somerset, the population, which had been estimated at 2,400, has now been revised downwards to 1,450. In Gloucestershire, the numbers have been lowered from 3,400 to 2,350.In west Somerset, the population, which had been estimated at 2,400, has now been revised downwards to 1,450. In Gloucestershire, the numbers have been lowered from 3,400 to 2,350.
Mr Paterson told BBC Spotlight that marksmen had killed 60% of the current numbers of badgers in Somerset.Mr Paterson told BBC Spotlight that marksmen had killed 60% of the current numbers of badgers in Somerset.
"Our chief vet thinks that will lead to a significant reduction in disease," he said."Our chief vet thinks that will lead to a significant reduction in disease," he said.
"There's no question the cull in Somerset has been a success.""There's no question the cull in Somerset has been a success."
He said extending the pilots would achieve the government's target.He said extending the pilots would achieve the government's target.
"It is a notorious TB hotspot so it is sensible to remove as many as possible," he said."It is a notorious TB hotspot so it is sensible to remove as many as possible," he said.