Edward Leigh MP has expressed his support for the proposed badger cull pilot.

"It is a disgrace that we have failed so far to take decisive action to curb the spread of bovine TB, a disease which has led to the slaughter of over 88,000 cattle since the 2010 election."

Mr. Leigh has called for clarity on the issue of the badger cull from the Environment Secretary, Owen Patterson MP. In a question to the minister, he pointed out that culling had been identified as necessary over two decades ago, and still no large scale culling was taking place. He asked for assurance that the proposed cull would go ahead, in order to protect cattle farmers from the 'untold misery' which bovine TB caused. In response, the environment secretary said, "emphatically we will stand by this policy".

On the ministerial response, Edward Leigh said:

"Obviously the assurance that the government is fully committed to the cull is very welcome, but another year has been wasted in the battle against bovine TB. I hope that next year we will see these trials taking place as early as possible, and subject to the result, a progression to a full scale national cull. Only then will farmers across the country be able to benefit, and only then will the country be able to breathe a sigh of relief that we can finally stem the tide of bovine TB."