Saltdean Badgers

THE SALTDEAN BADGERS
Huge thanks as always for the update Douglas d'Enno

First published on Tuesday 01 July 2003:© Evening Argus Badgers face early eviction
by Karen Hoy

The reprieved badgers of Saltdean have today been served with "eviction notices" - before work has even started on their new homes. A licence was granted by the Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) clearing the way for officials to lay traps for the animals, which were accused of undermining houses in Saltdean with their tunnelling. Once caught they will be sedated, tagged, clipped and moved to another part of the estate. But the construction of two alternative setts, agreed as a compromise after a series of talks between Defra, Brighton and Hove City Council and animal campaigners, has not started because of confusion over who will foot the bill. Today's announcement has infuriated protesters who mounted a round-the-clock vigil in October last year which saved the badgers from execution. The campaigners have now accused Defra of "putting the cart before the horse" and leaving the animals with nowhere to go. Meanwhile, families in Saxon Close and Lustrells Close are stepping up the pressure for action to save their homes because dry weather has forced the animals to dig deeper for food. Dr Elaine King, chief executive of the National Federation of Badger Groups, said: "Defra wants us to agree to have the badgers trapped, anaesthetised and clipped but has still not confirmed whether or not it will pay for the new setts. "It is disgraceful that Defra continues to put its own interests ahead of the welfare of the badgers." Dr King said new setts needed to be in place at least six months before the badgers were moved. She said: "If Defra had agreed to fund the artificial setts, their construction could be complete by now. Instead, it is putting the cart before the horse." There were street protests when officials trapped and shot two of the badgers after a cull licence was granted last year. A month later the campaigners won a stay of execution for the badgers while a compromise was worked out. In May, Defra agreed to pay for and build two alternative setts to see how the creatures coped when forced to move, the results of which could have implications for other troublesome setts across the UK. At the time, Home Office minister Elliot Morley criticised the city council and animal welfare groups for refusing to contribute to the costs. The issue has not been fully resolved and work has not begun. Trevor Weeks, of the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, said: "The licence to trap the badgers should not have been issued before the artificial setts had been built. 'Defra seems to be doing this completely the wrong way round." One of the residents in Saxon Close, who did not want to be named, said: "The badgers are still doing untold damage to gardens and property foundations in this area. "This is not the right environment for them and we welcome the news they are to be taken away." A spokeswoman for the city council said: "The setts should be ready in August. We understand no badgers will be removed until then." A spokesman for Defra said: "The licences are effective from today but this is for administration purposes only. "We will not be moving the badgers until an artificial sett has been established elsewhere."

Saltdean badgers Revisited

1 July 2003.
DEFRA is today issuing a licence to trap and experiment on Saltdean’s beleaguered badgers. But the Government department has still refused to confirm in writing that it will pay for new homes for the animals.

“DEFRA wants us to agree to have the badgers trapped, anaesthetized and fur clipped so they can be easily identified,” said Dr Elaine King, chief executive of the NFBG. “But the department has still not confirmed whether or not it will pay the full bill for the construction of two new artificial setts for the badgers to live in. We submitted a detailed quote more than a month ago. It is disgraceful that DEFRA continues to put its own interests ahead of the welfare of the badgers.”

DEFRA plans to issue the licence to trap the badgers and exclude them from their existing home on 1 July 2003. But the new setts need to be in place for at least six months before the badgers are excluded.

“If DEFRA had agreed to fund the artificial setts, their construction could be complete by now. Instead, it is putting the cart before the horse.”

The NFBG is concerned at DEFRA’s choice of researchers – a Government agency called the Central Science Laboratory. “DEFRA wants the same scientists who initially supported its call to exterminate the badgers to now conduct the research on the success of the relocation.

“There are plenty of very experienced independent contractors who could undertake the work. We want DEFRA to put the research out for competitive tender. It is fairer for the taxpayer and it means that everyone concerned can be confident that the research is genuinely impartial.”

Dr Elaine King
Chief Executive
National Federation of Badger Groups

Badger cull in Saltdean - demonstration in Saxon Close on Saturday at 10.00 am

The plight of the badgers of Saxon Close has generated a huge emotional response from both Saltdean locals and animal lovers nationwide.

Many people plan to demonstrate on Saturday. While it is commendable in these days of political ennui that anybody would give up their Saturday morning to campaign on behalf of wild creatures, unable to defend
themselves, I plead caution.

Remember who "the enemy is". It is DEFRA, the government department who has sanctioned the execution through special licence. The residents of Saxon Close would no doubt prefer the badgers to be rehoused rather than shuffled off this mortal coil with a regulation bolt through the head.

I am sure Saltdean Residents would agree with them. So I ask you all to be kindly in your demonstrating. Remember that children will be present and indeed no doubt children live in Saxon Close. Baying and booing could be frightening to the badgers as well as the children. Violence would be unacceptable.

How the animal welfare activists choose to behave could be a different matter. I just hope they remember that humans are animals too and should not be treated kindly, without cruelty. I shall be attending the demonstration in an observation capacity myself.
Yes I'd like the badgers to be saved. But if push came to shove protecting my neigbours would take precedence over badgers.So demonstrate by all means. Let's get these badgers saved. But let's do it in the spirit of peace and love rather than anger and frustration. Marina Baker, Saltdean Resident, fan of badgers and humans.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BADGER GROUPS News Release For immediate release: Monday 7 October 2002

Ministry licenses slaughter of badgers

A family of badgers evicted from their sett by development in the 1970s, are to be exterminated because they made a new home in neighboring gardens. The National Federation of Badger Groups (NFBG) has criticised Elliot Morley, Animal Welfare Minister, for ignoring its advice that remedial action could deal with the badgers' excavations, in Saltdean, East Sussex [1]. A licence for the slaughter of the badgers is to be issued today in spite of all the efforts made by the NFBG to persuade the Ministry to explore other options fully. “This is a deadly precedent,” said Dr Elaine King, Chief Executive of the NFBG. “It is the first time that a Minister has licensed the extermination of a large badger family, apparently in order to increase the value of private property and to prevent seemingly minor damage. It is entirely against the spirit of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.” The badgers established a new sett when their existing home was bulldozed to make way for a new block of flats in 1970. The sett now extends into four adjacent gardens. The badgers have adapted to their urban life style and are even able to climb small walls to move between gardens where they forage for earthworms. “These badgers have not invaded private property, says Dr King, “Instead, relentless new development has swamped prime badger habitat. Other badgers have territories in the surrounding countryside. These badgers have nowhere else to go.” The NFBG has criticised Mr Morley for licensing the extermination of the badgers even though: The only threat to buildings appears to be excavations beneath one corner of an integral garage and the concrete base of a garden shed. These can be dealt with by professional contractors; Further upheaval in gardens caused by badger excavations can be prevented by installing underground fencing, once amenity value has been returned to the gardens by professional contractors; DEFRA seems to have failed to seek local knowledge of the status of badgers and their setts in the area; Apparently no professional assessment of the risk to property or human safety has been undertaken by a chartered surveyor or a structural engineer;
DEFRA has closed other badgers setts in the area, seemingly without considering the effect that the excluded badgers might have on neighbouring properties; DEFRA has been unable to provide the NFBG with a transparent explanation on how it made its decision. The Department appears to have no methodology for issuing badger licences so that the spirit of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is upheld. “The Government's approach to nature conservation seems to be people first, wildlife last,” says Dr King. “Every year DEFRA issues numerous licences to exclude badger families from their setts. This is usually because development has encroached on badger habitat, forcing them into conflict with people. Now, Mr Morley has gone one step further. Rather than making badgers homeless, he has approved their extermination.

“It appears that the Government believes that wildlife is cheap. In cases like these, Ministers should only sanction outcomes that are fair to both wildlife and people. Most property owners regard badgers in their gardens as a privilege. DEFRA should work harder to foster this attitude.”

The National Federation of Badger Groups

The NFBG promotes the conservation, welfare and protection of badgers, their setts and habitats. It represents and supports 83 local voluntary badger groups throughout Britain, provides expert advice on all badger issues and works closely with the police, and other conservation and welfare organisations.

The NFBG maintains a database on incidents of badger persecution in Britain. The NFBG is a member of PAW – the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, involving the police, other government agencies and non-governmental organisations that are working to fight wildlife crime (see www.defra.gov.uk/paw/).

By Robert Uhlig, Farming Correspondent
(Filed: 09/10/2002) From the Daily Telegraph

The animal welfare minister, Elliot Morley, has taken the unprecedented step of licensing the slaughter of a family of badgers to maintain the value of private property after some invaded the gardens of four suburban homes in East Sussex.

The first issue of a licence for badger extermination since Labour came to power has angered animal rights campaigners and farmers, who are usually in fierce opposition over the issue of badger culling.

Until now, the Department for the Environment has issued licences permitting the closure of problem badgers' setts.

The National Federation of Badger Groups said Mr Morley's issue of a slaughter licence had set a "deadly precedent". Dr Elaine King, chief executive of the NFBG, said: "It is the first time that a minister has licensed the extermination of a large badger family apparently in order to increase the value of private property and to prevent seemingly minor damage."It is entirely against the spirit of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992."

Farmers were similarly enraged, not because the slaughter had been licensed to protect private property, but because they have been campaigning for years for selective culling to stem the spread of bovine tuberculosis. The badgers licensed for extermination in East Sussex have established a new sett in a residential street in Saltdean after their existing home was bulldozed to make way for a block of flats.

Hi All

After weeks of Defra trying to block our demo we now hear that the meeting in London will go ahead tomorrow WITHOUT our main expert, Prof. Harris.

We now need to get as many people there as possible for a protest. At this late stage all the coach hire companies are fully booked, all we can come up with is a taxi firm that has 7 seaters at £22.50 per person, or we could hire a minibus, funded partly by the badger groups, and drive it ourselves. Does anyone have a clean license who is willing to drive into and out of London in both rush-hours? If so, or if anyone has other suggestions, please call me as soon as you get this email. 01444 250853 or protest@lloydo.net . Also, if any of you are making your own way to London and have spare seats in your vehicle, PLEASE call me now so that we can fill your seats!!

Our website crashed yesterday, bad driving by me, I think! We lost a lot of our content but are busy rebuilding at the moment. The site is online but is restricted mainly to the Badger Page. When it goes fully live again if any of you notice any errors or missing pictures I'd be grateful if you'd drop me a mail.

Please support us tomorrow, Trevor and Elaine and many others have worked so very hard on this and we need to give them our support once again at this decisive meeting with Defra.

Best wishes Lloyd xx

lloyd@lloydo.net www.lloydo.net

The demo starts at 10am and finishes around 3.30pm and will be outside Eastbury House, 30-34 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TL Bring placards and sandwiches! (You wave the placards, I'll scoff yer sarnies!)

From the badgers page of www.lloydo.net this morning (Saturday 16/11/2002):

TREVOR WEEKS WRITES: "I would like to thank everyone who has expressed an interest in the demonstrations, especially those who are willing to attend the one in London.

Like many of you I am getting frustrated not being able to plan for the London demo, now that the date is undecided again.

As some of you already know, Prof. Steve Harris, the UK's leading authority on urban badgers is now involved at Saltdean. The Coalition have requested that he be present at the next meeting but unfortunately he is unable to make the 27th November. We have therefore requested the meeting be delayed, but unfortunately we have not been able to get any form of confirmation out of DEFRA yet.

I am sorry for the delay and will let you know as soon as the news breaks. A new statement from the Coalition and TV coverage is expected by the end of Monday. Can I thank everyone for all your support. Without your time and effort more badgers would have been killed. The Coalition is more than aware of how your demonstrations have affected DEFRA and other authorities. Keep up the good work and don't give in!

Tuesday 12th November: DEFRA HAVE AT LAST RELEASED THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BY BADGER GROUPS! In a dramatic turnaround, DEFRA yesterday released the long-awaited information requested by badger groups in order to find a permanent solution to this problem. The information includes: RSPCA report; English Nature report; Surveyors report; Statement of licensed badger control already in the area (DEFRA). Dr Elaine King [NFBG], Trevor Weeks & other experts are now studying this very large document and will be reporting here soon, keep checking back!

NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO HOUSES WHATSOEVER says DEFRA's independent surveyor. Report later.

TREVOR WEEKS SAYS: I have not had time to study this in detail, but after a quick 'once-over' I must say that the RSPCA's report seems 'very interesting', and once we've had time to study the information in depth I'll be in touch with you all.

To animal lovers everywhere,

THREAT TO OUR BADGERS NATIONALLY.

On the 7th October 2002, Animal Welfare Minister Elliot Morley issued a licence for the killing of up to 15 badgers at Saltdean, East Sussex.

Animal lovers and local residents together mounted a demonstration outside the residents houses 24 hours a day. Animal Welfare Minister, Elliot Morley, who issued the licence to kill, suspended the license on the 14th October after pressure from a solicitor working on behalf of the badger groups and Care For
The Wild International plus because of the demonstration and pressure from Sussex Police and Des
Turner MP.

Unfortunately DEFRA contractors killed two badgers before anyone knew the traps had been placed. DEFRA lied to the badger groups about the traps having been placed. This is a NATIONAL ISSUE not a local one. Why? Because if DEFRA are allowed to get away with this - the first time a licence has ever been issued for the killing of badgers in a urban area for causing damage to residential property. The damage is not a serious as DEFRA made out at the beginning. The gable end of one of the properties is unlikely to fall down this winter as stated by Paul Butt, from DEFRA! If this goes ahead, it opens the doors to any member of the public contacting DEFRA and asking for a
licence to kill badgers that cause damage in residential gardens without fully investigating other
alternatives and without even contacting the local badger groups, councils or other interested parties
first. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN - YOU MUST HELP US PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING!

You will find attached a petition. Please print this out and circulate it to as many people a you can. They don't have to be local to East Sussex - this has national implications! Please return completed forms
as soon as possible before 26th November 2002.

If you can help contribute towards the costs involved in fighting this battle then please print off the
second file attached and make a donation. Every little helps.

I have also attached a newsletter produced by the Saltdean Badger Coalition. Please distribute to as
many people as you can.

I have also attached a statement made by the Southdowns Badger Group mid-October giving further
details about the situation.

As I keep stressing this IS NOT A LOCAL ISSUE IS HAS NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.

We NEED your help. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join our fight. These badgers have a right to stay alive. After all as one lady expressed at last nights public meeting at Saltdean. "Badgers were present in Britain before Humans were! Lets hope they are here after the Humans."

LONDON DEMONSTRATION - 27th November 2002 We are looking at hiring a coach (or more than one) to take people from Brighton & Saltdean to London for a demonstration outside DEFRA's offices. Badger Group representatives are meeting with DEFRA that day to discuss the issues and attempt to come up with a solution.

Places on the coach will cost £6.30 a seat. If you would like to book a seat then please e-mail me at
wildlifeambulance@yahoo.co.uk A final decision to hire the coach will be taken Friday 15th November. If you would like to make your own way. The demonstration will be outside DEFRA's offices at Nobel
House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1p 3JR. If you are on the coach route we can pick up on route but unfortunately a discount for the seats can't be
given.

Public Opinion Counts - Make your voice heard and help save not just Saltdean's Badgers but badgers in the UK.

DEFRA are yet again letting our wildlife down. Paul Butt the Senior Wildlife Advisor, has let DEFRA and Animal Welfare Minister Elliot Morley down. Shame on DEFRA and shame on Paul Butt. Elliot Morley's official title is "The Minister for Fisheries, Water and Nature Protection" - I wonder if he knows that?!

If you would like to e-mail Minister Elliot Morley to complain you can. Thank you for your time and help. Trevor Weeks
Southdowns Badger Protection Group. wildlifeambulance@yahoo.co.uk

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BADGER GROUPS

Dear All,

Please find the first newsletter from the Saltdean Badger Coalition, and a news release.

We had a very successful meeting last night at the Saltdean Community Centre, with over 100 people in attendance. There is clearly still a great deal of support and concern for the badgers, and we were all heartened by local people's resolve to ensure these badgers are protected.

We are particularly encouraged by new information regarding other badger setts in the area that came forward at the meeting . These could be vital in assessing whether or the badgers could be excluded to another sett they are using nearby. The information is currently being followed up by the badger groups and Brighton and Hove City Council.

A solution to this problem will only be found with the cooperation of the residents and DEFRA. We have asked DEFRA for their records of setts in the area, along with details of setts they have closed down under licence, but they have so far refused to provide it. We hope that they will provide them soon so that it may assist the badger groups and Brighton and Hove City Council who are currently surveying and recording badger activity in the area.

Regards,Elaine

News Release
For immediate release: Thursday 7 November 2002

DEFRA IGNORES ITS OWN ADVICE ON SALTDEAN BADGERS

DEFRA has ignored its own advice on dealing with badger problems, the Saltdean Badger Coalition has revealed.
The Coalition, which worked with local residents to halt the culling of a family of badgers in Saltdean in October, has unearthed a document by the same DEFRA official who has been advising animal welfare Minister, Elliot Morley.
In the document, the official describes how badger licences should be assessed, implemented and monitored. 'It's incredible,' says Dr Elaine King, chief executive of the National Federation of Badger Groups. 'He spelt out what should be done, but he has failed to do it.'
§ What DEFRA says: 'If a problem exists, the damage and risks have to be quantified.'
§ The Coalition says: "DEFRA decided to cull the badgers without a structural survey of the damage or the risks."
§ What DEFRA says: 'The available options need to be discussed ... These must, of course, be practicable, legal and appropriate to the situation.'
§ The Coalition says: "DEFRA only proposed only one solution to the residents - culling - rather than a range of options."
§ What DEFRA says: 'Surveys may have to be undertaken before badgers are evicted or deterred ... the status of not only the sett causing the problem, but also setts around it, is an important consideration.'
§ The Coalition says: "DEFRA told us that 'A detailed survey of the setts in the area would not be relevant to the determination of this case.' It has also refused to reveal details of 12 other local sett closures, which we believe may have led to increased badger activity around the sett in question."
§ What DEFRA says: 'Local information is required, and badger groups play a key role in this respect.'
§ The Coalition says: "DEFRA was advised to consult the local badger group on 11 July by English Nature. Instead, DEFRA contacted the National Federation of Badger Groups and asked it not to raise the issue locally 'to avoid adverse publicity'. The NFBG, which exists specifically to represent more than 80 badger groups, refused. DEFRA now claims it did consult the local group - through the NFBG!"
Dr King added, "DEFRA made its decision with little of the essential information to hand. It doesn't even know how many badgers are living in the sett. In separate statements, it has said there are '6 to 8' and '8 to 10' badgers, while the licence says 15 badgers. It's a complete shambles.

Notes to Editors
The Saltdean Badger Coalition (SBC)

The SBC has been formed to find a peaceful solution to the Saltdean badger issue, which is fair to both the residents and the badgers. The group comprises: Care for the Wild International, Mid Sussex Badger Group, National Federation of Badger Groups, Saltdean Residents Association and Southdowns Badger Group.
The Coalition has organised a public meeting to be held today at the Saltdean Community Centre at 7.30pm. The meeting will provide an update on the current situation and outline the Coalition's proposals for a solution. All are welcome.

The National Federation of Badger Groups
The NFBG promotes the conservation, welfare and protection of badgers, their setts and habitats. It represents and supports 83 local voluntary badger groups throughout Britain, provides expert advice on all badger issues and works closely with the police, and other conservation and welfare organisations. News about the Badger Meeting from the wonderful www.lloydo.net (thanks lloyd) Check there for more details

Thursday 7th November: Public meeting at Saltdean

About 80 people attended representing just about every interested group. 'Just about' because there was a noticeable absence of any of the 4 householders who claim that their houses are being knocked down by a few badgers, and Heather James of Brighton & Hove City Council, who sent apologies. The meeting was chaired by Trevor Weeks (South Downs Badger Group) aided by Jeff Hayden and Peter Mortimer (Mid Sussex BG.) Guest speaker was Dr Elaine King (National Federation of BG's.) Dr King gave a brief background of the problem and brought to our attention previously unknown information, telling us that when DEFRA originally approached her for advice (which they promptly ignored,) they asked her NOT to inform our local badger groups of the problem! Naturally she did not comply. It appears that DEFRA were trying to cover this issue up right from the very start, in order to create a precedent so that badger killings could become 'the norm.' Elaine also told us that DEFRA advised Minister Elliott Morley that properties were in danger of collapse and that was why he reluctantly issued the license. (Hmmm.) A surveyor finally went in last week but DEFRA are keeping his findings a secret, although it is widely believed that there is little damage, if any, to houses but a lot of damage to gardens. The NFGB is working with lawyers to find out if the license, which has been suspended, NOT cancelled, was issued illegally due to DEFRA's lying and misinformation.
DEFRA will not give assurances that the cull license will not be reinstated. The license expires on November 30th and cannot technically be reissued until the breeding season is over next July, but they have made it plain that they have the power to reissue at any time if they decide it's necessary.

DEFRA have arranged a meeting with badger groups, and B & H City council at their offices in London on 27th November (London because they think they can avoid the embarrassment of protesters!) They have also invited the Dept. of Health, who will push the T.B. theory, government sponsored vets, scientists involved with vivisection and other people. They (again) refuse to disclose who these people are. It will be a very biased meeting in favour of killing.

The 'Saltdean Badger Coalition was formed and everybody was invited to enroll. It was suggested that a 'telephone tree' be set up so that if DEFRA go in secretly to cull the badgers there would be a network to alert everyone to go to Saltdean quickly. More info on this soon.

It was asked 'if the residents pulled out and asked for the license to be revoked, would that happen?' Dr King was fairly sure that that would be the case but to date none of the residents has asked DEFRA to stop the cull. A local resident told us about how he had written to the householders and arranged to meet them all. He said that these people told him obvious lies and tried to mislead him as to their motives. He also told us that one of them committed slander by telling him that Dr King was 'running with both sides' and that Trevor Weeks was a violent yob who attacked his elderly neighbour! The same householder told me the same lies when I spoke to him and took photos of the 'damage' to his property during the original demo. Click here to see Then come back. A man then told us that his house was in the middle of the affected area. He had lived on the corner of Lustrells Crescent and Winton Avenue for 25 years, had made provision to deter badger damage and had lived all that time quite happily alongside the badgers, enjoying their company. Unfortunately at the beginning of this he was wrongly named as the instigator of all that followed and had organised the license He has lived the past few weeks in fear, to the point where he had to put notices in his widows that he is 'badger friendly.' The record has now been put straight.

Badger Friendly!

Three proposals have been put to DEFRA as possible solutions. 1. Exclude the badgers from parts of the sett nearest to properties. 2. Exclude them totally hoping they will go elsewhere (A different garden?) 3. Relocate them somewhere else in the area. DEFRA have refused to give information about previous exclusions and where they'd permit relocation. (Or anything else relevant.) DEFRA have been asked if they know how many badgers are there. The answers have ranged from 2 to 14! Professor Steven Harris, a leading expert on rural badgers will be visiting the site next week.

Everyone was asked to do two things: Write to Councillor Ken Bodfish at Kings House in Hove and Des Turner MP. at 179 Preston Road Brighton and ask them to put pressure on Elliott Morley & DEFRA to cancel the cull license. An online petition will be available on this site from tomorrow for you to sign. Everyone was then invited to join their local badger group and to keep in touch, and above all - be vigilant against any trick pulled by DEFRA and to keep on supporting this cause. The evening ended on a high note when a very elderly lady, who had been patiently raising her hand all evening, stood up. To rapturous applause she told us that she had been doing some research and asked us all to bear in mind that badgers were in England well before the first humans. And they'd be here long after we're gone.Lloyd.

DEFRA are making arrangements for the next Saltdean Badger Negotiations to take place at their offices in London on the 27th November 2002. I wonder if this has anything to do with those horrible and nasty protesters which haunted the meeting at Brighton Town Hall last week?! Perhaps Paul Butt the Senior Wildlife Advisor is hoping to use the front door this time?!We would like to organise a demonstration in London to protest how strongly everyone feels. I have been quoted £300 per coach (leaving Saltdean or Brighton)which will take 49 people per coach. That's about £6.20 per seat.We would like to hear from anyone who is interested in either paying for a seat or able to make their own way to London.

Please e-mail me at wildlifeambulance@yahoo.co.uk if you are will or would like future info on demonstrations relating to the Saltdean Badgers.
Please state your availability too, weekday, weekend etc

If there is significant interest then a demonstration will be organised in London at DEFRAs offices or somewhere as suitable. WARNING: Sussex Police have handed back the traps to DEFRA. I was told by PC Colin Clasby Sussex Police's Wildlife Liaison Officer that they would be locked away and not handed back to DEFRA until a solution was found.

We have local residents keeping an eye on the gardens daily hopefully to ensure we know as soon as traps return.Thank you for Supporting the Saltdean Badger Campaign.

Trevor Weeks
Southdowns Badger Protection Group.

The Saltdean Badgers public meeting

has been arranged for next Thursday 7th November at 7.30pm in Saltdean Community Hall, by Saltdean Lido. Dr Elaine King [NFBG], Trevor Weeks, Badger groups, Saltdean residents and other interested parties will be there, we hope that you will be too!

Lloyd & Becky xx

Hi Everyone

A great turnout at Brighton Town Hall and Saltdean yesterday! Full reports, loads of pictures and a letter of thanks from Dr Elaine King of the National Federation of Badger Groups [NFBG] at www.lloydo.net (Badgers Latest page.) Don't forget the Badgers chatroom session tonight at 7pm.

Thanks to Everyone, Lloyd & Becky xx

Wednesday 30th October:

10am: Meeting at Brighton Town Hall this morning between DEFRA, the Council, badger groups, Des Turner MP and the Police. The meeting was chaired by Chief Inspector Peter Mills. Paul Butt, Senior wildlife advisor for DEFRA described the current situation. There was a discussion of the problem where it was agreed that the damage to property is worse than the badger groups first thought although doubts were raised as to the actual seriousness of the problem. Mr Butt DID NOT produce any new information which had been asked for by the badger groups and solicitors. The Council and badger groups jointly made a proposal to help reduce the risk to properties which involves possibly closing and filling in some badger tunnels, which would give time for research through the winter and spring months (the breeding season) when better plans could be made. Then there was a discussion about the options of moving and excluding the badgers and the implications of the possible threat of T.B. but due to the lack of co-operation and information from DEFRA no plans were made. Trevor Weeks of South Downs Badger Group challenged Paul Butt's statement that this was the worst case of badger/property damage that he had ever seen. Mr Butt then made a spectacular climbdown and said that it was ONE of the worst cases he'd seen. The badger groups expressed their disappointment that no new information was being made available to the meeting but said that they were grateful for the chance to sit down and talk about matters. Trevor asked Mr Butts to confirm that the cull would be deferred until all negotiations had taken place. Mr Butt could only refer the meeting back to the statement that Minister Elliott Morley made two weeks ago. No one was encouraged by this. The badger groups are holding an open public meeting, hopefully in Saltdean, on Wednesday or Thursday of next week. (Details to be confirmed, check back to this site regularly!) The aim of the meeting is to keep all concerned informed and to ask Saltdean residents to continue with their help and assistance, and co-operation with the survey work. DEFRA will not be attending this meeting but local MP Des Turner has been invited and Dr Elaine King of the NFBG and other badger group representatives will be there.. It's also hoped that local Councillors will attend. Another meeting with DEFRA, similar to today's, is planned for sometime in the first two weeks in November, details, again, to be confirmed here. Information kindly supplied by Trevor Weeks.

10.30am: Protest outside town hall meeting. We missed this protest as our car would not start! Protester Tony Slow from Lancing, who was at today's protest told me that around 50 people attended, consisting of Saltdean residents, badger groups and other interested members of the general public. The demo was peaceful, friendly and good natured although there was some anger at DEFRA over the killing of two badgers. Protesters said that they felt the killing, some weeks ago was possibly illegal as the culling license was obtained under false pretenses and by misrepresentation of the facts by DEFRA. A good atmosphere prevailed and there was some anti-DEFRA chanting and placard-waving at the end of the meeting when it was realised that DEFRA is still not co-operating fully with the badger groups, Council and Police in the efforts to find a solution to the problem.

Hi All

I've just received a call from Julie Hosier, DEFRA are meeting Brighton & Hove Council and the rest tomorrow morning at 10.30am. Anyone who is available please come along and protest, banners, placards, whistles etc.Details are on our website at www.lloydo.net (Badger latest.) I will update the site later today with last minute details - please check the site again after 6pm tonight.

Best wishes

Lloyd & Becky xx (By the way it is all over Meridian news today if you missed it (Tues 29th)

New demo

Wednesday 30th October

Brighton Town Hall

10.30 am

Hi,
Have just had a phone call from Badger people......There is a meeting tomorrow (30th Oct) at Brighton town hall..it is vitally important that we get as many people as possible to meet there for support, we are meeting at 10.30 outside. PLEASE come if you can
Many thanks
Tory

Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 9:44 PM
Subject: The Meeting - Wednesday

This is a set-up. DEFRA will not supply the information Trevor Weeks asked for. The whole concept of the Police being the im- partial Chair is a
farce. Badger Groups and the NFBG should be called to account. They should not
take part in this sting.

RichT

Hi All

Badgers from the SRA meeting Monday 28th October
Evelyn George - the chairperson gave us the situation to date. Apparently the badgers had been in Saltdean for over 30 years and they can apparently wander up to 1/2 mile from where they have their setts. The peaceful protests have been successful although their is another demonstration on Wednesday. The council had apparently offered all residents assistance in providing badger proof fencing although this is unclear whether it is both financial and physical help. The badgers will probably be moved to a more suitable site once one is found. The South Downs Badger Group will consider legal action against DEFRA. Des Turner MP attending made one or two points. Firstly the damage that hadn't been seen by himself was apparently substantial to one of the properties and been described as one of the worst cases of badger damage that he'd ever seen. One house was apparently in danger of collapse. Residents had requested him to take action and the Ministry had apparently made two refusals to a licence to cull before ordering it. There had been discussions with all involved and the Ministry had made an assurance that there would be no culling of badgers from that sett. What will happen would be up for discussion in the next few days (see demo planned on . He underlined how important it was that residents did not feed the badgers and encourage them to breed and multiply beyond the sustainable resources in the area. In the long run he stated this doesn't help. One resident asked him why he hadn't seen the damage and he replied that he had been told this by reliable witness.

By Miss Information - Saltdean.info's intrepid girl reporter.16th October 2002

The press pack has moved on. The protestors have returned home for a long well-earned soak in the bath. But the now famous Saltdean badgers remain in their sett. At least, ten of them do. Two were culled.

The reprieve of the surviving badgers is rightly hailed as a victory by all those who took part in the save the badgers campaign. But some residents of the normally quiet Saltdean cul-de-sac, admit to being in two minds at the outcome.

Some claim they still have a badger problem and wonder what will now be done to deal with it. They fear the issue will now be swept quietly under the carpet. "Any action will be viewed as politically unsavoury - if not suicidal," said one resident.

There is also a sense that bad feelings now exist between normally quite friendly neighbours. "This was bound to happen given the high emotions stirred by the events of last week," said a concerned local animal lover. "It's human nature. Everybody agrees Defra were high handed in their approach. They assumed no one would object to the badgers being culled. This quite clearly would never have been the case.

"But an active badger sett in a garden can make it difficult to sell a property," he continued. "Most surveyors will take one look at the tunnels, draw a sharp intake of breath and pronounce: 'Well you won't get a mortgage for this house.'" Some active badger fans also complain that they're being blamed for Defra's mistakes. "People are pointing fingers, blaming us. But we never contacted Defra. We enjoy watching the badgers."

The way forward for this small enclave of the wider Saltdean community, it is felt, is to find a way to keep badgers out of certain gardens. This would involve structural work, such as badger- proof fencing. This could cost in the region of thirty thousand pounds. "Some of us residents really can't afford this," says one local who has been asked to contribute five thousand pounds."

One option might be to move the badgers. This is not as easy as it sounds since badgers can carry TB which can spread to cattle. Cattle can also spread TB to badgers.

Trevor Weeks, spokesman for the South Downs Badger Group feels now is the time for everyone involved to take a step back and consider the possibilities. "It's like this," he says. "If you find a bees nest next in your loft you would pay for pest control. The same applies to badgers. You bring in people who know about badgers. In this case, the badgers were living here before the people. We need a workable solution so that residents can live in harmony with the badgers. There are documents going back to the 1980s that show Defra put in temporary measures to solve the issue. These worked for a while but fell into disrepair. They weren't managed properly. This was the responsibility of the residents. There were gardens that were affected by badgers but aren't now because measures such as electric fencing were put in place. These work when they are maintained.

"I have to say," he continues, "There has been lack commitment from residents. Some have done nothing for 15 years. Some have been quite aggressive in their response to offers of help. Some were willing to listen and to compromise. But others don't care at all.

"Obviously," adds Trevor, "Our issue is with Defra. Just because residents can't afford measures, there should not be a cull." Issuing a licence to cull, says Trevor " is dangerous territory. We are negotiating with Defra. But we are also fighting a campaign of misinformation." Des Turner, for example has received a letter from his Labour colleague and Animal Welfare Minister, Elliott Morley stating this is the worse case of badger damage he has seen. "Quite clearly," says Trevor. "This cannot be the case."

But Trevor insists this is not the time for apportioning blame. "Especially between neighbours," he says. What's required now is some serious fundraising to be undertaken by residents. This would involve the setting up of a working group to move things forward to solve the problem. This would require representatives from the local community. "Perhaps someone from the SRA," he suggests. "And maybe a reporter from the website can also come along to meetings so that people can be kept informed."

Trevor also issued a stark warning: No one should assume that the badgers are safe. "What we don't want is for the badgers to be shot in the end. And I get the impression Defra still want the cull to go ahead. But I don't feel there is any circumstance that justifies culling. There are alternatives that can be explored. "

Should we feed the badgers? - By Miss Information.

Badgers are scavengers - nature's vacuum cleaners. They need a balanced diet. The sort of diet in fact, that nature provides. So should we be feeding them? Well maybe and no are the answers.

What we shouldn't be doing, say badger experts, is feeding them a human diet "I've seen people putting out plates piled up with food. I feel this is detrimental to the badgers, says Trevor Weeks, of the South Downs Badger Group. " If you feel you have to feed them, put out a small quantity of food and vary it." Badgers, like humans should never be encouraged to live on a diet of white bread and margarine.

If we're still tempted to offload our surplus supplies we should consider the effect this has on badger populations. When we feed wild animals they will breed to match the food supply. Badgers, left to their own devices, will find food. They enjoy slugs, beetles and insects - so they're good for gardens and the gardener's friend. "Except when they dig up your lawn," says Trevor. "This is one instance when feeding might be helpful." A small quantity of food, which should be varied each time and not given every day will provide badgers with an alternative to the worms they dig for. "But generally," says Trevor, "There's no need to feed them." The message badger groups want to get across is that badgers manage better on their own."It's the same with foxes. If you feed foxes you encourage large rat populations. If you don't feed the foxes they'll eat the rats rather than go hungry."

So next time you're wondering whether your garden badgers would prefer a cheese or pesto sauce with their pasta just remember: badgers are wild animals. Let them forage. The next sessions in the Saltdean Badgers Chatroom will be on Thursday 17th and Sunday 20th of October at 7 pm.
The room can be accessed at
www.lloydo.net
Paul & Becky Lloyd

VICTORY.....

Tuesday October 15th - I spoke to Trevor Weekes earlier and he had this to say...

The battle is not yet over. In 1998 the local residents involved what was then the Ministry of Agriculture (now DEFRA) to attempt to exclude the badgers from their gardens. More than four houses were involved and the residents were told by the ministry to consider a permanent exclusion solution. MAFF offered advice on a self-help approach which would require the co-operation of all neighbours in erecting badger proof barriers to be maintained by the residents. They suggested positive steps such as chain link fencing to prevent badgers gaining access, to be burrowed into the ground. The second suggestion was an electric fence to be maintained by the residents. Apparently one resident has reported that one property in Lustrells Crescent erected an electric fence but it was not maintained. Another property have a properly maintained fence that has worked for several years. Another planning application was passed by the local council, however on arrival the builder refused to carry out work because of the badgers. Another property seems to have erected a swimming pool and interfered with the sett.

With regard to the current licence, it has been suspended. DEFRA is not legally allowed to set traps without agreement with the police and badger groups. The traps are currently under lock and key at Brighton Station.

Trevor emphasised how peaceful the ongoing demonstration was and the excellent support from the residents.

So far the legal bill has come to £2200 - split 50/50 between the Mid- Sussex badger Groups and the Care for Wildlife International. Further funding from the South Downs Badger Groups is coming.

If you would like to contribute anything to the legal fund, which is obviously ongoing, please contact Peter Mortimer from the Mid Sussex badger Group on 01323 442198.

Saltdean badger trappings suspended

14 October 2002 SALTDEAN BADGER TRAPPING SUSPENDED

Local residents after discussions with Defra have agreed that, for the time being, no further trapping of badgers will take place. Groups associated with animal welfare issues have been involved in considering the full range of options in addressing the problem over a protracted period of time, and have so far been unable to come up with a workable solution. However, Animal Health and Welfare Minister Elliot Morley today agreed it would be sensible for the local residents and interest groups to have a further opportunity to come to a suitable accommodation.

Mr Morley said: "The decision to grant a licence for the humane dispatch of the badgers was taken with great reluctance, only after all other avenues had been investigated and in the exceptional circumstances of this case.

"So far no viable alternative for the solution of this problem has been presented to us, despite every effort being made to find one. However, I can today announce that no further trapping if badgers will take place for the time being."

"Damage is being caused to residents' property. Significant attempts have been made to exclude the badgers from the site, without success. Relocation presents welfare issues that - all agree - are extremely difficult to resolve in these circumstances.
"After all the efforts already made, there is no guarantee that answers to these problems will be found. But this is an opportunity to ensure no alternative is overlooked, and all who have a view have an opportunity to make it known," he added.

Save the Badgers demo

Saxon Close 3.00pm

Monday 14th October. 2002.

Good luck to all the decent citizens of Saltdean who respect the badgers in their midst. Having had badgers in my garden at a previous address, I can confirm that it is a great privilege.

As for those dregs of humanity who support their extermination, I hope they
die a worse death than the wonderful creatures they despise.

Ian

We travel down from Burgess Hill every day to support the badgers. On our family site there are pictures words and info. Please take a look and include a link to us from your site if you wish.

Best wishes

Lloyd, Becky & Rhys

Badgers on the Web is your gateway to the world of badgers on the internet.
Some of the best badger sites on the Web are hosted here, including the Brockwatch Badger Pages, the National Federation of Badger Groups, and Brock's World. There's also the Ultimate Badger Links List, with links to over 250 badger-related web pages. Badgers on the Web also provides several badgery communication tools including a message board, an e-newsletter, the free Badger-mail e-mail service, and virtual badger postcards. You can even claim free web space to create your own badger web pages with an URL like www.badgers.org.uk/yoursitename!

Save the Badgers Demo - Saturday October 12th Report by Marina Baker

More than 300 people turned out in Saltdean on Saturday to demonstrate against plans to kill a sett of local badgers.

The peaceful demonstration drew in protesters from all over Sussex but the majority were Saltdean families who brought children along to wave colourful banners demanding the badgers be saved.

The killing of the badgers is backed by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) which issued a special licence - the first since 1996 - following complaints that the animals were damaging property.

But many residents in the quiet cul-de-sacs of West Saltdean claim the badgers aren¹t a nuisance and actively encourage their presence by feeding them.

'It¹s outrageous what Defra is doing', says one resident who has been feeding the badgers for three-and-a-half years. She was horrified when she discovered Defra had laid a trap in her garden. 'I was so shocked and upset' she says. 'If you don¹t want badgers in your garden you can lay special fences and put down scented oils which deter them from digging the borders. The four households who complained to Defra about the badgers haven¹t done this.

"But most of us here love the badgers. I find myself cooking a bit extra each evening so that I can feed my family of four and the badgers.' Badgers, apparently, are fond of peanut butter, nuts, bread and vegetables. 'But they don¹t like salad.' They¹re also partial to pasta and meat dishes. 'We're just so grateful that so many people turned out to support us² said the resident, who this website won't name due to fear of reprisals. She added :'We feel part of a very strong community today.'

Last Wednesday two of the 12 badgers under threat were trapped and shot by Defra employees who laid cage traps without consultation with the land owners. ³I can¹t believe what they have done,' said Farideh Dartnell who travelled from Kingston, near Lewes to join the protest. ³We have badgers and we¹ve learned to live and work with them. We put gates in our fences so the badgers can move freely without damaging property.'

There were fears more badgers would be captured over the weekend but following the public outcry and moves by animal welfare groups, Defra has promised that no more badgers will be trapped before Monday. The South Downs Badger Protection group hopes this reprieve can be extended until Wednesday.

'We¹re extremely pleased with the public response,' said SDBPG spokesman Trevor Weeks, who plans to camp out at the Saltdean cul-de-sac where the badgers¹ sett is based until the animals are saved. ³There were no arrests and the demo was extremely peaceful.

'This situation is unique,' he continued. 'Defra is trying to set a national precedent. We¹re taking drastic action because we can't afford to allow the Ministry to get away with this. If they do it will mean that if someone has a badger dig a hole in their garden they can call Defra in to have it shot. There are 1000s of disputes across the country involving unwelcome badgers and all are easily solved without the badgers having to be destroyed.'

Asked what the best possible outcome to the row would be, Weeks said: "We would like these Saltdean badgers to remain in their sett, but be excluded from where they¹re not wanted with special fencing. It can be done and the SDBPG is willing to fund the project and supply the labour.' At least six farms have offered to resettle the badgers.

Another demonstration is planned for Monday 14th October at 3.00pm when it is hoped Defra will reconsider their decision to licence the slaughter of the badgers.

Weeks asked for everyone to write to their MP (locally, Des Turner MP for Kemp Town and Norman Baker MP for Lewes)) and their Euro MP (for South East Chris Huhme).

DEPARTMENTAL STATEMENT- BADGERS IN SALTDEAN
11 October 2002

Defra received an application for a licence under Section 10 of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, to prevent badgers causing serious damage to property.

We have investigated the case extremely carefully, and have considered the full range of options for addressing the problem over a protracted period of time. In addition to this, we have sought to involve groups associated with animal welfare issues, despite there being no obligation on us to do so.

The decision to grant a licence for the humane dispatch of the badgers was taken with great reluctance, only after all other avenues had been exhausted and in the exceptional circumstances of this case. In dealing with any licence applications we always seek to avoid the need to harm the badgers. This is an extreme case where no other option has been identified.

Animal Welfare Minister Elliot Morley considered carefully the options of translocating the badgers in respect of which this licence was issued. The overriding problem associated with translocation in this case is the possible risk of spreading disease - particularly bovine TB.

There is sufficient evidence to indicate that TB is endemic in the local badger population. The entire groups of badgers would have to be caught, held and accommodated while testing was carried out - a difficult and onerous undertaking, which causes particular stress on the animals. In any event, the triple TB test used to determine whether the badgers had TB would still result in 17 per cent false negatives so the disease status of the badgers in question could not be reliably ascertained. Therefore translocation of those individuals would always carry a risk of spreading TB to livestock or to other badgers in the area.

Also, there are welfare implications for the badgers concerned. Trapping, handling and release into unfamiliar territory can be very stressful to a wild animal. Urban badgers, which are moved to a rural situation are also likely to have difficulty in coping in novel rural conditions, would have to compete with neighbouring badgers for food and could either starve or would move to recolonize residential areas that offer conditions more akin to those they are used to.

Any translocation would require a suitable site for the badgers. We had a series of consultations with the National Federation of Badger Groups, and others, following this letter. No viable alternative was suggested by any of the organisations consulted before a decision was taken to issue a licence and all accepted that no viable translocation option existed.

Indeed, those that have been proposed after the licence was issued have also been shown to be unsuitable even though officials have been keen to investigate whether there would be an alternative.

Exclusion of the badgers has also been tried in the past at this site and failed. The sett in question was undoubtedly a main sett. It was considered that this suburban social group of badgers would simply attempt to dig new setts or enlarge existing setts elsewhere in the local vicinity, so exacerbating the problem. It would also not be in the interests of the badgers welfare because exclusion would almost certainly result in conflict with neighbouring badger social groups due to the local density of badgers.

The Protection of Badgers Act, approved by Parliament, explicitly provides that preventing serious damage to property provides grounds for the issuing of a licence to kill or take badgers. In considering licence applications, we are obliged to operate within the law which Parliament has made. This includes not withholding licences unreasonably.

Evening Argus Monday October 14th

I just heard on the news that the license to kill is still in place, elliott Morley says that as structural damage has occurred the cull may have to go on.
01444 250853

Lloyd & Becky

The people of Saltdean have every reason to be proud tonight. Their determination has forced the all powerful ministry, DEFRA, to think again. It is a wonderful example of "People Power" and Community.

We wish you God speed. The struggle isn't over of course. The reprieve is only until Wednesday, but the signs are good.

Keep up the pressure. You will win.

Richard Tassell
The National Anti Snaring Campaign
http://www.antisnaring.org.uk

Hi All

We've put a temporary live chat room on our site specifically for anyone who wants to use it for the Badgers of Saltdean issue. Please spread the word, this might be useful.

www.lloydo.net

Could anybody write a small article on the campaign for the Saltdean website newsletter for the end of October - I would be hugely grateful and I am sure that lots of people would be interested.

Please email me here if you are able to help.

Emails to the website

I just heard on the news that the license to kill is still in place, elliott Morley says that as structural damage has occurred the cull may have to go on.
01444 250853

Lloyd & Becky

At the time of writing, I have found out that DEFRA have surreptitiously started the cull of the Badgers in Saxon Close. On TV tonight. Elliott Morley insists that every effort has been made to relocate the Badgers but there is nowhere for them to go. Who does he think he is kidding. He doesn't really expect us to believe that rubbish does he?. It seems that DEFRA's actions are demonstrating the modern outlook of expedience, rather than concern and conscience. Hopefully undercover of darkness to ward off publicity until it is too late to do anything about it. Well they are going to be unlucky. When they have finished this cull, are the going to start on the other wildlife in Saltdean?

I would like to say to the 4 people who made the complaint, 'I hope you feel good about yourselves and that you don't have too many sleepless nights with blood on your conscience. I hope you get a good prices for your properties, because this attitude to our wildlife is not welcome in our community. The wildlife we are surrounded by are part of the reason we live here. To other residence who may have badgers in their gardens, "MUMS THE WORD"

Mr & Mrs Belton
Saltdean Residents

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BADGER GROUPS

News Release For immediate release: Monday 7 October 2002

Ministry licenses slaughter of badgers

The National Federation of Badger Groups

By Robert Uhlig, Farming Correspondent
(Filed: 09/10/2002) From the Daily Telegraph

Until now, the Department for the Environment has issued licences permitting the closure of problem badgers' setts.

"It is entirely against the spirit of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992." Farmers were similarly enraged, not because the slaughter had been licensed to protect private property, but because they have been campaigning for years for selective culling to stem the spread of bovine tuberculosis. The badgers licensed for extermination in East Sussex have established a new sett in a residential street in Saltdean after their existing home was bulldozed to make way for a block of flats.