208881 - Bovine Tuberculosis: South West (Answered)

Mrs Anne Main
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which statutory authority has responsibility for ensuring public safety during the badger culls in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

George Eustice

All those involved in carrying out this year’s culls have a responsibility for ensuring that the operation is carried out safely. Safety requirements for contractors are set out in the Best Practice Guidance at

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/347541/badger-cull-controlled-shooting-guidance-2014.pdf and compliance will be monitored by Natural England. Local police forces are fully involved in the planning and coordination of culling operations to ensure public safety is not compromised.