LANCASHIRE Wildlife Trust has said it is set to oppose any decision by Natural England to grant new licences for culling badgers.

The organisation, along with other trusts across the country, has also said it will call on the Government and newly appointed Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsom, to overrule and reverse any decision to cull immediately.

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Badgers have been culled elsewhere in England as part of a government initiative to reduce the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle, a disease which devastates thousands of farming businesses annually.

Pilot badger culls started in 2013 amid fierce opposition and the number of areas increased in 2015.

A government announcement is expected any day on new areas for an extension of this cull.

Tim Mitcham, head of Conservation at region’s wildlife trust, said: “While we are fortunate that this terrible disease has not become a major issue for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, we must all work together to prevent future herd breakdowns.

“The Trust has been attending a multi-interest group which includes farmers and landowners to discuss effective action to keep the disease out.

“Where problems have arisen in this area, it has been infected cattle being brought into the area and not badgers who have introduced the disease. Indeed, we are not aware of any evidence that badgers in our area have bTB.”

TheNational Farmers Union has previously said that the badger cull is a vital part of a comprehensive plan to control and eradicate bovine TB where the disease is endemic.