Benn rules out badger culling, 7th July 2008

The Badger Trust today warmly welcomed the Government's new package of measures to control bovine TB in cattle.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, told the House of Commons that even large scale culling of badgers only produced "marginal benefits" and that whilst a prolonged cull over even larger areas "might work, it might also not work".

He therefore concluded: "I do not think that it would be right to take this risk."

In addition, the Secretary of State has decided to make TB vaccination a priority and he intends to establish a "Bovine TB Partnership Group" with the industry. Mr Benn told MPs that the burden of TB control falls most heavily on farmers and that whilst it would be possible to tighten cattle measures still further, this would come at a cost.

The Partnership Group will therefore be able to decide whether or not there should be further cattle controls and other measures to control the disease.

Mr Benn concluded that: "Our best chance is to work together."

Trevor Lawson, for the Badger Trust, responded:

"We are delighted that Hilary Benn has based his decision on sound science. The Government and the farming industry can now move forwards together in controlling the disease in a way which supports rather than harms the industry. Eradication is a long way off, but the science clearly shows that control is rapidly within our grasp, provided that the farming unions are prepared to work towards it."

However, the Badger Trust criticised Conservative spokesman James Paice for claiming that Mr Benn had "gone against the advice of the ISG" and for claiming that PCR - the Polymerase Chain Reaction - could be used to "target" diseased badgers.

Trevor Lawson said: "The Secretary of State has not gone against the advice of the ISG at all. It advised him that badger culling can make 'no meaningful contribution' to bovine TB control. Furthermore, Mr Paice should be well aware - because we showed him the research paper on 31 January 2006 - that the Veterinary Laboratories Agency has ruled out PCR as an effective test for TB in badgers[1]. This test is even ruled out by the researchers who have been working on it, including Dr Orin Courtenay at the University of Warwick who tells the Badger Trust that 'the application of this technology could only really be used for detecting BCG after a vaccine trial'.

"Mr Paice appears not to have grasped the scientific evidence and it is lamentable that he seems so determined to kill badgers in spite of the overwhelming evidence that this will not help the situation."

DWT Open Day, Brooklands 31st May 2008

You can read about the latest exploits of the Dorset Badger Group display team here.

Kingston Maurward Badger Sett Survey, 16-18 March 2008

Discover what we found on our recent extensive survey of the Kingston Maurward grounds here.

Dorset Badger Group badger watch 20th April 2008

Badger Watch, Dorset: 20 April 08 by Jane Adams.

After the Advanced Training Day at Brooklands for members wishing to be actively involved with the work of the Dorset Badger Group (a report on the day will be published here shortly), many of the participants finished off the day with a visit to nearby Badger Watch Dorset, where you can sit in the comfort of a warm hide and watch wild badgers come out of a natural sett and feed right in front of you.

We had an excellent evening with very good sightings, including three badgers just a few feet from the hide for extended periods.

You can see more of Jane's studies of Dorset wildlife on her blog Urban Extension. She also has a superb resource for local wildlife enthusiasts on her new website Nature Watch Corfe Mullen.

Dorset Badger Group Newsletter Spring 2008

You can view or download our latest newsletter here.

Peascombe bait marking reveals fascinating results

Find out the results of our recent bait marking experiment mapping badger territories near Bridport here.

New badger DVD from local film maker shot entirely in daylight

Renowned local film maker Rodney Goodhand has produced a wonderful DVD charting the adventures of a local badger family on the heathlands of Purbeck. Find out more about this remarkable film and order your copy here.

Badgers in The Observer

From The Observer 28th October 2007:

Badger sett blocking

Since January 2007 year we have been alerted to incidents of sett blocking in some areas of Dorset. Many setts have been “killed off” in the past by heavy blocking and badgers have become trapped underground. In a couple of areas there is evidence that setts are still being blocked on a regular basis.

We are asking all our members to be vigilant and report to us any blocked setts that they find, especially if they know that the setts have been recently open and active.

If you find a sett that has been completely blocked, please firstly record any evidence in the form of photos etc. and loosen the entrances so that the badgers can breathe and have a chance of getting out. Only a few of the holes need to be opened depending on the size of the sett and at different parts of the sett so that air can circulate. This is best done by hand if possible and without damaging the entrances, as it is an offence to damage a badger sett. Please let us and the police know about the blocked sett as soon as possible and that you have opened some of the holes.

This photograph is an example of what we have found recently. Note the spade marks left by the person who has blocked the sett entrance.