Written question asked by Chris Hinchliff (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 November 2025. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Badgers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of potential impact of the proposed changes to the Protection of Badgers Act on shooting badgers.

Answer

These amendments standardise licences for development purposes under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 with those for other species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2017. This is intended to facilitate strategic-level Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) as provided for in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

We are legislating that licences issued under the Act to derogate from the protection afforded to badgers will be subject to strict tests required by the Bern Convention, which set a high bar. For licences under the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF), against an EDP for badgers, an overall improvement in the conservation status of badgers will be required. Killing badgers would remain exceptional and only permissible under strict conditions, such as disease control, and would not become routine for development purposes.

A specific assessment of the potential impact on shooting badgers has not been undertaken as the impact of these provisions will depend on practical application by Natural England through EDPs or individual licences.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94315
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Badgers: Conservation
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Transferred: Yes
Subjects: Badgers
Legislation: Protection of Badgers Act 1992
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Badgers

Secondary information

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