The Green Party has reiterated its call for an end to the badger cull following the admission by Defra that it had overstated the number of cattle herds infected by tuberculosis in Britain to such an extent that there had actually been a decline in the year preceding the cull in September 2013 rather than the rise it had previously announced.
Caroline Allen, the Party's spokesperson for animal protection, said:
"This latest statement from Defra reinforces our view that the badger cull is totally unjustified and we call on the government to announce immediately that no more culling of badgers is to take place.
"The Green Party has always claimed that the cull is unscientific, cruel and dangerous as well as likely to increase the spread of TB in cattle.
"We are also calling for the resignation of the architect of the cull, the Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, who is responsible for this callous and totally unjustifiable slaughter of badgers.
"Of all the parliamentary parties the Greens have by far the best policies on animal protection and wish to strengthen laws to protect badgers and other wildlife across the board.
"Green party activists have campaigned up and down the country against the badger cull and will not rest until it is ended."