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Opposition to Badger Cull grows
Bill Oddie and Charities announce opposition

A group of animal welfare charities including Care for the Wild International, the Badger Trust and the League Against Cruel Sports, the Shadow DEFRA Secretary Mary Creagh MP and broadcaster Bill Oddie have announced their support for Humane Society International (HSI) UK's decision to submit a formal complaint to the Bern Convention against the decision by the government to authorise proposed badger cull pilot programmes in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset.

HSI-UK argues that a cull would breach the Bern Convention on three counts: that it does not have legitimate purpose, that it threatens local badger populations, and that alternative strategies have not been adequately explored.

Commenting, Mr Oddie said “There is an appalling bloody-minded arrogance about the Government’s decision. Opposition to the cull is not based on sentimentality, but on the fact that a great deal of thorough research suggests that it won’t work.”

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.