§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the feasibility of recolonising areas cleared of TB infected badgers from areas in the UK colonised by badgers which are known to be free from TB infection. [158606]
§ Mr. BradshawNo such assessment has been made.
Translocating animals is not a straightforward process. There are significant welfare implications for the animals concerned that need to be fully assessed prior to any animal movements. In addition, there do not appear to be any good reasons to translocate badgers from areas of low TB incidence to areas of high incidence.