Questions and answers to the badger cull
Two trials of badger culling can legally get underway on Saturday 1 June.
Badger culls to start in June: full statement
Natural England has given the culls final approval, and chosen Dorset as a reserve culling area.
Badger cull trials may now take place elsewhere
A Government minister has hinted that the region's trial badger culls scheduled for later this year may NOT go ahead in the planned areas.
Live updates
Badger cull delay: the wildlife campaigners' response
Anti-badger cull campaigners have always claimed the cull was unnecessary and unscientific. David Woodland was with staff at Secret World Animal Sanctuary in Somerset when they heard today's announcement.
Government delay badger cull
by Georgina Leggate
Two pilot badger culls in the Westcountry to tackle TB in cattle are to be delayed until next summer.
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Badger cull is to be delayed
Two pilot badger culls in the south west of England to tackle tuberculosis in cattle are to be delayed until next summer, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said today.
No U-turn on badger cull trial
DEFRA has announced that the trial cull of badgers to try to stop the spread of TB in cattle will go ahead, despite speculation of a postponement
The pilot was due to start in parts of West Somerset and Gloucestershire this month but has received widespread opposition.
See more on our national site.
Farmer loses all to TB
A West Country farmer, who's lost two hundred cattle to TB, says he's so fed up with the situation that he's selling up. It comes after news that there's to be a full Commons debate on the badger cull.
The National Farmers' Union has welcomed the debate, even though it's come about as a result of pressure from opponents. But it all comes too late for David Bolt from mid Devon. Bob Cruwys reports.
Defra answers your questions about the badger cull
Defra’s Chief Scientist Professor Ian Boyd and Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens will be answering questions about the badger cull pilots live on Twitter from 12-1pm today.
They will be answering questions about the science and evidence upon which the policy is based and the Government’s wider approach to tackling the spread of TB in cattle.
You can send Ian and Nigel questions using #askDefra and follow the conversation via the department's Twitter account
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Brian May's fist of defiance in face of badger cull
Brian May this afternoon celebrated pushing for a Commons debate over a cup of tea in Portcullis House.
Badger cull plans prompt Commons debate
In the last hour it has emerged that a debate will take place in the House of Commons next week to discuss the impending badger cull.
It comes as hundreds of people are gathering at Dunster in West Somerset tonight for a big protest against the cull, which is expected to start in the next few days.
The full 6 hour debate will take place on Thursday 25th October after a petition exceeding 100,000 signatures was gathered by Queen guitarist Brian May.
Badger cull protest planned tonight
A peaceful protest is due to take place in Dunster this evening to voice concerns about the planned badger cull trial
Read the full storyExperts urge Government to reconsider cull
More than 30 leading animal disease experts have urged the Government to reconsider culling badgers in Somerset and Gloucestershire. In a letter to the Observer newspaper they say the pilot culls risk increasing the spread of TB in cattle rather than reducing it.
Supporters of the cull say killing the animals is the best way to tackle the disease in the absence of effective vaccines.
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