Summary of responses on applications for a supplementary badger disease control licence
Updated 27 May 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bovine-tb-comment-on-an-application-for-a-supplementary-badger-disease-control-licence-february-2021/outcome/summary-of-responses-on-applications-for-a-supplementary-badger-disease-control-licence
As part of the supplementary badger disease control licence application process, Natural England invited members of the public to provide information on issues that may be relevant to its licensing decisions.
Opportunity to Comment period
Natural England has run the Opportunity to Comment (OTC) over the last nine years in counties across the High, Edge and Low Risk areas of England where a licence application or expression of interest has been submitted.
Public notices were published in the local press and advertised on the GOV.UK website.[footnote 1]
Responses to previous OTCs are available at: http://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations.
Summary of responses
Natural England has received applications for a supplementary badger disease control licence in 2021 to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle. This licence is for areas that have completed a 4-year intensive cull.
The public were able to comment on how badger control in their area might affect their livelihood or daily activities.
A total of 7 responses were received for the OTC that ran from 8 February 2021 to 21 February 2021. Table 1 shows a summary of responses received in each county.
Table 1: summary of responses for each county
| County | Responses received |
|---|---|
| Dorset | 4 |
| Cheshire | 2 |
| Avon | 1 |
General themes
The following general themes were raised by respondents, but all 7 respondents expressed disagreement with the overall policy:
- Business and tourism: respondents believed that badger control could negatively impact visitor numbers and quality of life locally.
- Ecological: respondents expressed concerns about the impact on other wildlife species. Respondents also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the policy, and impact on the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
- Biosecurity: respondents expressed concern over cattle industry operations generally and the need for better biosecurity.
- Vaccination: regarding vaccination as an alternative control method.
Conclusion
Where relevant, Natural England will notify applicants of the responses related to their county / area and any additional mitigation measures that may need to be implemented.
Natural England will take account of any relevant representations received before any decision to grant a licence is made which arises from a change in personal circumstances or new local considerations after the opportunity to comment deadline.