Oxfordshire Badger group horrified at news badger culling licences are now available

As expected, due to leaked documents seen in August, the cull was expanded to 11 new areas across the country including Oxfordshire.
By Matt Elofson
Published 9th Sep 2020, 12:51 BST
Updated 9th Sep 2020, 12:54 BST
A badger photo taken by Alex White, wildlife photographer with the Oxfordshire Badger Group charity.A badger photo taken by Alex White, wildlife photographer with the Oxfordshire Badger Group charity.
A badger photo taken by Alex White, wildlife photographer with the Oxfordshire Badger Group charity.

Oxfordshire Badger group, (OBG) were very saddened and disappointed to learn that there will be badgers culled under licence in Oxfordshire this autumn. Culling licences went live from the government on Monday September 7.

With Oxfordshire Badger Group (OBG) already vaccinating badgers to protect them from catching Bovine TB, there has been outcry from all sectors of society including politicians and local councils about why the cull is still coming to the county.

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Oxford City Council stated that no culling would be permitted on any of its lands.

BBOWT are also vaccinating badgers in the county and have released a statement to say how devastated they are that the cull is taking place here in Oxfordshire.

Linda Ward trustee of OBG said “Oxfordshire Badger group are filled with horror at the news. The government has broken its promise to phase out culling for vaccination. Over 2,200 badgers could be killed in Oxfordshire alone. More than 62,000 badgers could be killed across much of England in 2020.

Oxfordshire Badger Group has just completed its successful vaccination programme for the second year. We are already planning to expand our free service to landowners and farmers next year.

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"The Oxfordshire cull licence allows over 2,200 badgers to be killed this year. The badgers can be cage trapped and shot until the end of November, with free shooting continuing to the end of January. All of these badgers could be vaccinated instead.”

A badger photo taken by Alex White, wildlife photographer with the Oxfordshire Badger Group charity.A badger photo taken by Alex White, wildlife photographer with the Oxfordshire Badger Group charity.
A badger photo taken by Alex White, wildlife photographer with the Oxfordshire Badger Group charity.

Bovine TB is a cattle disease and needs to be treated at the source by cattle vaccination, better testing of cattle and improved biosecurity. There is no doubt that most badgers shot will be healthy and free of the disease.

You can help save the badgers by making a donation to the Oxfordshire Badger group's vaccination programme here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/oxfordshire-badger-group-vaccination-project

For more information on the Oxfordshire Badger Group, which is a registered charity, see their website here: https://www.oxonbadgergroup.org.uk/

Related topics:OxfordshireEngland