Owen Paterson On Badger Cull: 'I'm Not Moving The Goalposts, The Badgers Are Moving The Goalposts'
The badgers are conspiring against us, according to one government minster.
Environmental secretary Owen Paterson has said that "badgers have moved the goalposts," whilst arguing that the controversial cull has been a success.
Much to the fury of animal rights campaigners, Paterson today announced the cull may be extended by up to three weeks in an effort to make up a massive shortfall following the completion of a six-week period of the Somerset TB control pilot cull.
But experts have warned that dragging out the killing gives more opportunity for badgers to flee the gunmen and could increase TB infections, rather than reduce them.
Paterson was asked on BBC Spotlight if he had "moved the goalposts" by claiming the cull was a success.
"The badgers moved the goalposts. We're dealing with a wild animal, subject to the vagaries of the weather and disease and breeding patterns," he claimed.
The comments have, unsurprisingly, raised a few eyebrows.
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