Central Environment News

A shrimp (Dikerogammarus haemobaphes), which is a relative of the so-called 'killer shrimp' has been found on the River Severn at Tewkesbury and Bevere near Worcester and on two canals in Worcestershire. It is the first time it has been found in this country.

According to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) the ) is "a voracious predator [which] kills a range of native species, including young fish, and can significantly alter ecosystems".

But the Environment Agency is unsure what the impact of this new species will be. They say until they have further information it will be treated as a "high impact species" and have a team working to establish how far the shrimp has spread along the river.

• UK
• Environment
• nature

Animal rights activists from across the Midlands have been campaigning against plans to introduce a badger cull.

Farmers say the animals spread Bovine TB to cattle, and they're losing hundreds of thousands of pounds each year because they're having to slaughter their herds.

The government wants to run a trial cull, which would allow farmers to shoot up to 70 per cent of the badgers in certain areas.

Supporters claim it's vital to help prevent the spread of the disease. But campaigners say it won't work and it's unethical.

• UK
• agriculture
• farming

• UK
• agriculture
• farming

ITV Central held a poll today to find your feeling towards the government's proposed badger cull as a measure to control the spread of Bovine TB.

The results, as can be seen in this chart, are an overwhelming majority at 92% against the cull, with just 8% saying they agree.

For more on this story see our coverage here

• UK
• agriculture
• farming

The regional director of the National Farmer's Union John Murcer says research proves culling badgers reduces the spread of Bovine TB, a disease that has devastating effects on farmers.

Animal activists took to the streets of Nottingham today in protest against against the badger cull proposed by the government for this autumn.

• UK
• agriculture
• farming

• UK
• Nottingham
• badger cull

Supermarket Tesco has released a statement in response to the protest taking place outside one of its stores in Nottingham against the proposed badger cull.

Animal activists say they feel that supermarkets have an ethical responsibility to not sell products from farmers who cull the animals.

Tesco says animal welfare is an important issue for many of its customers and it takes the responsibility seriously, but also recognises that Bovine TB is a significant threat to dairy farmers:

“Animal welfare is an important and sensitive issue for many of our customers and we take our responsibilities in this area very seriously. We also recognise the significant threat that bovine tuberculosis disease poses to our dairy farmers and their livelihoods. We are committed to supporting them through this challenging time and have no plans to stop sourcing from farmers in the affected areas. The cull policy and its implementation are a matter for Government and the farming community to take forward.”

• UK
• agriculture
• farming

Animal activists in Nottingham city centre are protesting outside of a supermarket against the proposed badger cull this autumn.

They say they feel that supermarkets have an ethical responsibility to not sell products from farmers who cull the animals.

The government is proposing to cull badgers in an attempt to reduce the spread of Bovine TB, which is a major problem for UK farmers.

• UK
• agriculture
• farming

Derbyshire cattle farmer Barry Sargent does think a badger cull is needed. He's had to have several animals put down because they've contracted bovine TB, a short time after a badger set appeared in one of his fields.

• UK
• agriculture
• farming