Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has today joined the rest of the Wildlife Trusts national partnership in expressing deep disappointment at the recommendation of the House of Commons Agriculture Committee that thousands of badgers should be killed in the next few years to test the link between badgers and bovine TB. The Wildlife Trusts, who give evidence to the Committee, argued that the £25 million due to be spent on the cull could be better spent on research into how to minimise the risks of transmission, development of a vaccine and increased compensation for farmers.

The Wildlife Trusts also expressed their astonishment at being singled out for criticism because they refuse to allow badgers to be killed on their nature reserves.

"I am amazed", said Simon Lyster, Director-General of The Wildlife Trusts. "What on earth does the Committee think nature reserves are for? They are safe havens for wildlife, and it would be gross hypocrisy for us to acquire land as a nature reserve and then allow badgers to be killed as part of an experiment which we think is misguided any-way."

The cull of badgers does not currently affect Warwickshire as bovine TB is not a problem in the county at the moment.

Andrew Thompson, Conservation Manager of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said:

"It is absolutely crucial for badgers, farmers and their cattle that we keep Warwickshire free of bovine TB. Sadly unless farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture take great care in controlling the movement of any potentially diseased cattle this cannot be guaranteed."