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Gloucestershire badger cull falls short of target Gloucestershire badger cull falls short of target
(35 minutes later)
The number of badgers shot during a six-week cull in Gloucestershire has fallen short of its target, environment secretary Owen Paterson has told MPs.The number of badgers shot during a six-week cull in Gloucestershire has fallen short of its target, environment secretary Owen Paterson has told MPs.
Defra said 708 badgers have been culled in Gloucestershire, just 30% of the badger population. Defra said 708 badgers had been culled in Gloucestershire, just 30% of the badger population.
The original target was 2,900 badgers, based on a population estimate of 3,400 animals. The target was revised to 1,650, from a population of 2,350.The original target was 2,900 badgers, based on a population estimate of 3,400 animals. The target was revised to 1,650, from a population of 2,350.
Defra has advised that the period of culling this year should be extended. Defra's chief veterinary officer has advised the cull period be extended.
'Safe and humane''Safe and humane'
The government department's chief veterinary officer said the cull would achieve the "earliest and greatest possible impact" on bovine TB in Gloucestershire. Nigel Gibbons said extending the cull would achieve the "earliest and greatest possible impact" on bovine TB in Gloucestershire.
"Natural England is therefore considering an application for an extension from the cull company in Gloucestershire," a statement from the organisation said."Natural England is therefore considering an application for an extension from the cull company in Gloucestershire," a statement from the organisation said.
"A decision is expected shortly.""A decision is expected shortly."
Mr Paterson told the BBC that cull figures were "not bad news" but admitted that those carrying out the cull had "got off to a slower start" in Gloucestershire.Mr Paterson told the BBC that cull figures were "not bad news" but admitted that those carrying out the cull had "got off to a slower start" in Gloucestershire.
"We must remember that these are pilots," he said."We must remember that these are pilots," he said.
"This has not been done before and we are learning, clearly, in each area. This isn't a sudden six-week period. These pilots are intended to go on for four years."This has not been done before and we are learning, clearly, in each area. This isn't a sudden six-week period. These pilots are intended to go on for four years.
"Up to to the end of July, a further 20,000 perfectly healthy cattle have been hauled off to slaughter at horrendous expense to the taxpayer because we've lost control of TB.""Up to to the end of July, a further 20,000 perfectly healthy cattle have been hauled off to slaughter at horrendous expense to the taxpayer because we've lost control of TB."
Mr Paterson said 305,000 cattle had been "lost" over the past 10 years and it was "not acceptable" to allow the disease to go on.Mr Paterson said 305,000 cattle had been "lost" over the past 10 years and it was "not acceptable" to allow the disease to go on.
'Government craziness"'Government craziness"
The badger cull in Gloucestershire ended this week. A licence was granted last week to extend the badger cull in Somerset until 1 November.The badger cull in Gloucestershire ended this week. A licence was granted last week to extend the badger cull in Somerset until 1 November.
Defra said early indications from Gloucestershire are that, as in Somerset, the pilot had been "safe and humane".Defra said early indications from Gloucestershire are that, as in Somerset, the pilot had been "safe and humane".
Last week Mr Paterson said the government was exploring the possibility of gassing badgers to cull carriers of bovine TB.Last week Mr Paterson said the government was exploring the possibility of gassing badgers to cull carriers of bovine TB.
Stop the Badger Cull spokesman Jay Tiernan said the cull had been a "massive failure".Stop the Badger Cull spokesman Jay Tiernan said the cull had been a "massive failure".
"It's disgraceful," he said. "It clearly isn't safe, effective or humane."It's disgraceful," he said. "It clearly isn't safe, effective or humane.
"It is time for someone to bite the bullet and admit it's been a failure."It is time for someone to bite the bullet and admit it's been a failure.
"It's just more craziness from the government. How can they double the number of badgers culled in half the time scale?"It's just more craziness from the government. How can they double the number of badgers culled in half the time scale?
"It doesn't make sense. I wouldn't expect them to even reach 1,000.""It doesn't make sense. I wouldn't expect them to even reach 1,000."
Mr Tiernan said protests against the culls would continue, with a redoubling of effort in Somerset if the Gloucestershire extension is turned down.Mr Tiernan said protests against the culls would continue, with a redoubling of effort in Somerset if the Gloucestershire extension is turned down.