MPs to debate petition relating to badger cull

MPs will debate badger culling next week after more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for an end to the controlled shooting of badgers.

On Monday 21 March, MPs will debate the petition entitled 'Ban the shooting of badgers immediately’ after it reached the 100,000 threshold required for a parliamentary debate.

Nick Fletcher MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, will open the debate, and Defra minister Jo Churchill MP will respond for the government.

Licensed operators carry out controlled shooting of badgers in the field to prevent the spread of bovine TB, a devastating disease affecting cattle across the UK.

Defra provides online guidance to operators on best practice, as well as techniques that they must comply with.