No threat of cull farmers being named

Pilot badger culls started at the end of August and are expected to last six weeks. They are aimed at driving bovine tuberculosis out of the countryside to protect cattle from infection but the policy has upset animal welfare groups.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which has backed the culls, lodged a complaint with the Charity Commission in relation to comments made by the RSPCA, including alleged calls for farmers involved to be named and for a boycott of milk from farmers in cull areas.

At the end of the Charity Commission’s investigation into the complaint, the RSPCA issued a statement in which it said: “As we made clear to the commission and are pleased again to reiterate publicly, the RSPCA will not be naming and shaming any farmers or farms involved in the badger cull.”

Mike Tomlinson, chairman of the charity’s council of trustees, added: “The RSPCA only ever conducted campaigns to further the charity’s animal welfare purposes in a lawful manner. In relation to our badger cull and live animal export campaigns, the RSPCA will continue to be a strong, loud and ethical voice for the animals with our position rooted in science and evidence unlike the Government’s badger cull programme.”

Peter Kendall, president of the NFU, said: “I’m extremely grateful to the Charity Commission, who took the NFU’s complaint seriously and carried out a thorough investigation of the issues we raised. The RSPCA has now clarified its position on the naming of farmers involved with the badger cull and that it condemns personal intimidation. The RSPCA has also now confirmed that it will not call for a boycott of milk.”