Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to Owen Paterson’s admission in the House of Commons that he was looking at gassing badgers, said:

“Gassing badgers has been proven to be inhumane and it is unacceptable for Owen Paterson to be considering it, just because his unscientific, costly and misguided cull is not working.

“Instead of blaming the badgers for the failure of his policy, it’s time for a coherent plan to eradicate TB through vaccination of both badgers and cattle, together with tougher rules on the movement of livestock.”