Today’s announcement delaying the two badger cull pilots expected this autumn was exceptionally difficult but on balance is responsible and right said the NFU.

With just weeks left of the autumn, the companies working to deliver this element of the government’s TB eradication policy have agreed with the NFU and government to postpone until next year.

NFU President Peter Kendall said he understood that today’s news would come as devastating blow to farmers who are desperate for a solution to the cycle of reinfection of TB in their beef and cattle herds.

“The NFU and its members take their responsibilities on this issue extremely seriously and I know there will be many who are devastated by today’s news”, he said.

“We have all worked tirelessly to prepare for the delivery of this government policy to see us finally get on top of this terrible disease.

“But there have been a series of obstacles, not least the appalling weather, delays because of the Olympics and Paralympics, and the legal challenges from those against the policy.

"And let’s be clear, the numbers from the badger population survey last week, which demonstrated just how large the badger numbers are, have left us with a huge challenge to ensure we achieve the targets needed for disease control.

“We have always said that this is has to be a science-led policy to reduce disease and we have to be confident of achieving the numbers needed for disease reduction.

"As we rapidly approach winter the odds is achieving that number decrease. This is why, reluctantly, we have taken the decision, with the companies involved, to delay until late spring next year. 

“For those that have suggested that this cull is irresponsible, I think today’s decision shows that this is simply not the case. Postponement is the most responsible thing to do.

"We have said all along that this has never been about killing badgers; this has always been about eradicating disease. It has been about the battle to get on top of the TB on our farms that strikes at the very heart of our beef and dairy herds.

“This has been a very tough year for farmers, which has lent its own set of challenges. In preparing to deliver on this government’s TB eradication policy we have met with challenges.

"But I am proud of the way that farmers have worked together and shown great resilience in the face of not inconsiderable opposition - and for that I want to thank them. 

“I would also like to thank Defra Secretary of State Owen Paterson and Farming Minister David Heath for their continued commitment to this TB eradication policy.”