Maria Eagle MP, Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to reports that Natural England is to revoke the Gloucestershire badger culling licence, said:

“The decision to revoke this badger cull licence is a humiliation for Owen Paterson and must spell the end for his misguided and unscientific policy. Natural England is absolutely right to stand up for a scientific, evidence-led approach to this issue.

“Despite revising downwards the estimated number of badgers and extending the trials contrary to clear scientific advice, Owen Paterson has still failed to reduce the badger population by his own stated goal of seventy per cent.

“It’s clear that the Government’s continual moving of the goalposts on these culls has rendered them worthless, while risking the further spread of TB, and they should now be abandoned.”