Wanted for (intended) Murder

Badgers provoke strong passions in West Wales. Several local badger 'hotspots' were selected for a trial 'cull' since these endearing woodland denizens are regarded in the farming world as responsible for the spread of bovine tuberculosis. This disease necessitates the slaughter of all infected cattle which is hugely costly in financial terms and can ruin farmers' livelihoods when whole herds have to be destroyed.

Although there is a strong correlation between the presence of TB in badgers and in cattle occupying the same land, direct transmission is not proven. Nor would killing badgers actually eliminate them: since badgers are territorial, they would move into or out of the culled areas. An alternative plan that's being tested elsewhere is vaccinating them.

Last year outraged local opponents of the cull faced off masked gunmen who entered private land to shoot badgers. They then won a legal appeal to stop the slaughter. But Elin Jones, Minister of Rural Affairs, supports the cull and intends to go ahead with it. She has just been re-elected to her seat in the Welsh Assembly - hence the amended notice. There's no doubt that the prospect of dead badgers is a very live issue.