Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if it is her policy to begin the badger cull scheduled for 2015 in June; and if she will make a statement.

No decision has yet been taken on the start dates for culling in 2015. The current four year licences for the two existing cull areas allow culling of badgers from 1 June onwards. It is for the cull companies to decide when they wish to start. Natural England, as the licensing authority, will consider proposed start dates and, providing they are satisfied that all the necessary conditions have been met, will issue an authorisation that allows cull companies to proceed for a 6 week period.