What is the badger cull and why is it controversial?

TB rates in one of UK's main badger cull areas soared by 130% last year

badger
(Image credit: Peter Trimming)

Up to 50,000 badgers could be slaughtered this year if a planned expansion of the national culling scheme goes ahead, opponents of the policy claim.

The increase will be caused by a “predicted expansion in licensed culling zones” – areas where farmers can legally exterminate badgers, The Guardian says.

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