Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the UK's obligations are in respect of badger culling under the Bern Convention.

The Bern Convention requires appropriate and necessary legislative measures to be taken to ensure the protection of badgers, the regulation of their exploitation, e.g. by imposing close seasons, and the prohibition of certain means of capture and killing. Exceptions can be made for a number of purposes including the protection of livestock, provided the exception is not detrimental to the survival of the population concerned and there is no other satisfactory solution.

We have considered the provisions of the Bern Convention and our policy complies with the requirements.