DEFRA have insisted they are complying with the Bern Convention

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) insist that their planned badger cull meets the conditions of the Bern Convention.

The Council of Europe's Bern Convention aims to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats. Those countries that have signed to the Convention, including the UK, must take the necessary action in order to preserve its wildlife.

The badger culls are due to commence in the early autumn in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset, in an attempt to decrease levels of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. However, DEFRA have been under a lot of pressure to halt the policy.

Humane Society International/UK (HSI UK) believe the culls breach Bern and has submitted a formal complaint to the Convention, which is still to be considered.

Wildlife experts, animal welfare campaigners and celebrities, including Dame Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley, are signatories of an open letter to DEFRA Secretary, Caroline Spelman, saying the culls should be delayed until the complaint has been considered.

A DEFRA spokesperson has insisted that steps have been taken to insure compliance with the Convention. For example, they plan to only cull in disease hotspot areas and have an upper limit to cull no more that 70 per cent of badger populations in one local area.

Executive director of HSI UK, Mark Jones, said: "As a signatory to Bern, it is only right and proper that the UK Government delay the slaughter until the Convention has considered the evidence."

A DEFRA spokesperson said: "The UK takes its responsibilities under the Bern Convention very seriously and we are confident our plans are consistent with its requirements."