The Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2011

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

The Welsh Ministers are satisfied that tuberculosis exists in the wild badger population in the control area; that the disease has been or is being transmitted from badgers to cattle in that area and that the destruction of wild badgers in that area is necessary in order to eliminate or substantially reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in animals of any kind in that area.

The control area comprises land in the counties of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. The precise control area is coloured in red on the map signed on behalf of the Welsh Ministers and dated 7 March 2011 and marked “Badger Control Area 2011”. Due to the scale of the map, it is not possible to annex it to this Order. The map is deposited and available for inspection at the Welsh Assembly Government’s offices at Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ. A copy of the map for illustrative purposes only can be accessed on the Welsh Assembly Government’s website at www.wales.gov.uk/bovinetb.

The Order provides that the destruction of wild badgers must be accomplished by trapping and either shooting or giving a lethal injection, or by shooting without trapping. The carcase of a badger so destroyed is the property of the Welsh Ministers and may not be removed without their authority.

The Order provides that no person may—

(a) take into captivity, harbour, conceal or otherwise protect wild members of the badger species with intent to prevent their destruction;

(b) in any other way obstruct or interfere with anything which has been, is being or is to be done or used in connection with that destruction; or

(c) aid, abet, counsel or procure another person to commit such an act.

The penalties for breach of the prohibitions set out in article 4 are set out in the Animal Health Act 1981.

The Order revokes the Tuberculosis Eradication (Wales) Order 2009.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in relation to this Order and a copy can be obtained from the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, Government Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.