Members considered a motion in relation to badger culls, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

It was proposed by Councillor Doggett and seconded by Councillor Darling:

This Council notes the appalling consequences of tuberculosis in cattle for farmers and farming communities and that the scientific evidence for a pilot cull of badgers to control TB is split and further notes that the pilot culls have failed to kill their target of badgers within the cull period.

This Council notes that the cost of £4121 per animal with a total cost of more than £7 million according to Care for the Wild, is an unsustainable drain on the treasury.  

This Council calls on our Members of Parliament to oppose any extension of the cull to other areas and resolves not to allow any pilot culls to take place within the boundaries of Torbay and instructs the Executive Director of Operations and Finance to notify the Secretary of State for Environment Fisheries and Food as well as our MPs accordingly.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.3(a), the motion stood referred to the Mayor.  The Mayor considered that, although he did not support badger culls, at the present time there was not a problem of badgers and tuberculosis in Torbay and therefore rejected the motion.