Born Free is extremely disappointed by the news that 11 new badger cull licences have been approved in England, which could lead to the death of 40,892 badgers by the end of 2018.

Born Free opposes the UK Government’s policy of badger culling as part of its effort to control bovine TB in cattle because it is unscientific, inhumane, ineffective and unnecessary.

Dr Mark Jones, veterinarian and Born Free’s Head of Policy, said: “Yesterday’s announcement brings the total number of badger cull licences in operation in England to 31. The decision is disastrous for badgers. If the policy continues to be rolled out, the number of badgers killed could run into hundreds of thousands, and badgers could disappear altogether across large swathes of the English countryside where they have lived since the ice age.”

Born Free will continue to work with partner organisations, veterinary authorities, decision-makers and the wider public to promote evidence-based wildlife management that focuses on minimising negative animal welfare and conservation impacts, and promotes alternative, humane approaches to bTB control that do not involve lethal wildlife interventions.