Defra statement - Saltdean badgers
19 February 2003
The case of the licence to cull a group of badgers in Saltdean has attracted a lot of publicity and stimulated much debate in recent months. Everyone who has been involved in this case now accepts that the badgers have caused, and continue to cause, problems for the householders and they must be removed from their current sett.
Defra continues to engage constructively in exploring how best to resolve this matter quickly and satisfactorily although a detailed workable solution has not yet been put forward.
Local meetings have occurred allowing all parties to explain their views. Defra arranged a forum, chaired by Derek Langslow on 27 November to discuss alternative proposals for a way forward. Mr Langslow has now submitted a report to Animal Health and Welfare Minister Elliot Morley on the findings of the forum.
Mr Morley said:
"Although Derek Langslow does not come to any firm recommendations, he does suggest that finding an alternative sett in the immediate area would meet the concerns of all interests. I considered this option before issuing the original licence to catch and humanely dispatch the Saltdean Badgers but no suitable alternative sett could be identified. This remains the case despite considerable efforts by the National Federation of Badger Groups (NFBG) and others. We are, however, continuing discussions with the NFBG and I remain hopeful that a mutually satisfactory situation can be found."
Some organisations have also called for a review of the badger licensing process.
Defra has dealt with many thousands of badger cases since the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 was introduced to cover a range of problems, including setts causing damage to roads, railways, flood defences and buildings. Defra specialists visit every case and the problem and potential solutions are explored in detail with the applicant. Each advisor has received comprehensive training and will have a background in dealing with wildlife. We receive up to 700 badger licence applications each year. This was the first licence to be granted to kill badgers for damage to property since 1996. Such a licence is always the last resort. We believe the current legislation offers the necessary protection to badgers. There are those who argue that badgers are too heavily protected and there is no acceptable method to control the increasing population.
Defra believes the licence system is working - balancing the reasonable expectations of both those suffering significant problems with badgers and those concerned with animal rights. We are not seeking to alter the licensing arrangements as such. However, it is right that Defra re-considers its internal procedures on the implementation of the requirements of the Protection of Badger Act 1992 to help ensure they are as transparent as our legal obligations require on the one hand and permit for that matter on the other.
To help inform us of how we might offer a better administrative service to licence applicants we will seek the views of stakeholders. Part of this internal review will be to publish a summary of how licence applications are processed within Defra.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1 On October 7, 2002 Defra granted a licence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 for the control of badgers for the purpose of preventing serious damage to property to four householders in Saltdean. Two animals were trapped and humanely dispatched under the licence.
2 On October 14, 2002, Defra suspended trapping work to allow local interest groups and residents to have a further opportunity to come to a suitable arrangement.
3 The licence was granted by Animal Welfare Minister Elliot Morley following detailed consultations with, among others, the RSPCA, National Federation of Badger Groups, CSL and English Nature.
Further information on the case history, chairman's report and Departmental response can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/saltdean.htm
Previous Defra press release: Defra to consult widely on Saltdean Badgers
Page last modified:
20 February 2003
Page published: 19 February 2003