The National Farmers Union is backing the shoot, but anti-cull protesters plan disruption.
A High Court judge last month has granted the NFU and other claimants an interim injunction to protect farmers in and around the pilot cull areas from unlawful actions by cull opponents.
NFU president Peter Kendall welcomed the decision. “This injunction is to stop people intent on harassment and threats against farmers and landowners in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset.
“For beef and dairy farmers dealing with TB on their farms, these badger culls are an essential part in the fight…. While we recognise not everyone agrees with the government’s TB eradication policy, and the need to cull badgers to start to reduce this disease in cattle, we acknowledge their legitimate right to peaceful protests.
“But we cannot condone actions by extreme activists designed to harass, intimidate and threaten others.”
Kendall says many farmers will be glad something is at last being done to stem the TB cycle of infection.
“We cannot go on culling tens of thousands of cattle every year because of TB while knowing the disease exists in wildlife uncontrolled. It is why the NFU will be working with the pilot companies to ensure successful pilot culls in the coming weeks.”
