Motion by Councillor Susanna Pressel
“DEFRA is considering whether to grant a licence to expand the badger cull to areas of lower risk, including Oxfordshire.
There has been 5 years of culling in high risk areas at a cost to the UK tax payer of £50m so far. Not only has there been no significant reduction in bovine TB, there has actually been an increase.
So far culling has had the effect of causing badgers to move to other areas. Any that do have TB may be spreading it further. This is entirely predictable and impossible to prevent.
This Council resolves to ask the Leader to write to DEFRA saying that we are opposed to the licensing of a badger cull in Oxfordshire.”
Decision:
The motion was carried by 23 votes 19, with 13 abstentions.
Minutes:
Councillor Pressel moved and Councillor Banfield seconded the following motion:
“DEFRA is considering whether to grant a licence to expand the badger cull to areas of lower risk, including Oxfordshire.
There has been 5 years of culling in high risk areas at a cost to the UK tax payer of £50m so far. Not only has there been no significant reduction in bovine TB, there has actually been an increase.
So far culling has had the effect of causing badgers to move to other areas. Any that do have TB may be spreading it further. This is entirely predictable and impossible to prevent.
This Council resolves to ask the Leader to write to DEFRA saying that we are opposed to the licensing of a badger cull in Oxfordshire.”
Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried by 23 votes 19, with 13 abstentions.
RESOLVED: Accordingly.