Christine Chapman welcomes Badger Verdict

Christine Chapman AM has welcomed the decision by the Court of Appeal to uphold the appeal by the Badger Trust against the proposed cull of badgers in Pembrokeshire. (17th July 2010)

The Court decided earlier this week that the cull could not proceed as the legislation allowing it had been incorrectly framed.

Commenting on this, the AM said; “I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal. Whilst it is important that we do our utmost to tackle bovine TB, it is vital that we act in a way that is appropriate, humane and based on scientific fact”.

The Cynon Valley AM was one of nine AMs to vote for a motion to annul the cull in November 2009. Since then, Mrs Chapman has been involved in a lengthy correspondence on the issue of the badger cull with the Minister for Rural Affairs.

Christine Chapman said; “I voted for the motion, and against the cull, as I believe that the scientific evidence against the cull far outweighed the limited scientific evidence that supported such a drastic measure. I also believe that it would be wrong for us not to listen to the many voices, of both individuals and organisations, which were raised in protest against plans for a cull.

“A cull contradicts the values of sustainability and biodiversity we have attempted to promote in the Assembly, and, to me, the vote was very decidedly a matter of conscience. I will continue to monitor the response of the Government to this issue.”

ENDS

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