THE Badger Trust says plans to kill badgers in both England and Wales should be put on hold after the Government found some farmers had lied to keep their most valuable cattle from slaughter.

Staff made the call after Defra investigations revealed some owners in the south west and the Midlands had been switching ear tags and sending less productive animals to the abattoir instead.

Chairman David Williams said the trust was “appalled”

at the thought offenders were then getting full compensation for an animal that in reality might well be worth a lot less.

“They are letting down everyone who has worked hard to modify the restrictions on trading cattle from infected farms,” he said.

“Both the National Farmers’ Union and the British Veterinary Association claim that only some farms are guilty of such practices without giving any reason for their minimal estimate.

“But the Badger Trust is seeking official confirmation that the fraud is limited and does not extend to very many more.”

Mr Williams argues that the offences, which saw the West Country’s largest dairy herd owner fined £7,200 for not only moving cattle under TB restrictions but also showing them too, have come to light amid growing concern over various breaches.

The same month a Cheshire farmer admitted 87 offences of moving cattle in breach of TB regulations and asked for 102 further offences to be taken into account.

“The cattle-based measures now in place depend absolutely on effective movement controls, honest and accurate record keeping and discipline,” Mr Williams said.

“However, if badger culling had been introduced last year these improvements would have been claimed as ‘proof’ that culling had been necessary.”