Polling shows strong public opposition to killing badgers in Wales

BADGER Trust is calling on Wales’ incoming government to rule out badger culling, after new polling suggested widespread public opposition to killing badgers as part of efforts to tackle bovine TB.

The call comes as a newly expanded Senedd begins its work and a new Welsh Government prepares to set out its priorities.

Badger Trust said ministers and political parties should reject calls for culling and instead focus on “evidence-led cattle measures” to control the disease.

Polling carried out by RSPCA Cymru found that only 27% of people in Wales support badger culling, while 46% are opposed. The survey also found that 63% of respondents were uncomfortable with killing badgers, and 68% opposed the use of public money to fund culling.

The organisation said the figures showed bovine TB was likely to remain one of the most significant animal welfare issues facing Wales in the coming years.

As Plaid Cymru prepares to form a minority government, with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS expected to become Wales’ new First Minister, Badger Trust is urging all parties to take note of public feeling on the issue.

More than half of those surveyed, 51.8%, said they would be less likely to support a political party that backs badger culling, compared with just 7.2% who said they would be more likely to do so.

The poll also found strong support for wildlife protection, with 98% of respondents describing it as important and 69% saying it was “very important”. Around 73% said they were concerned about badger welfare, while 53.8% described badgers as iconic British mammals and 43.5% said they were heavily misunderstood.

Nigel Palmer, chief executive of Badger Trust, said: “The people of Wales have spoken loud and clear: badger culling is a vote loser for the new government.

“It’s clear how much the people of Wales value their badgers as an integral part of their landscape. This underlines the fact that badgers belong here.”

Mr Palmer said Wales should learn from what he described as “politically driven mistakes” in England, where more than 250,000 badgers have been culled over the past 13 years.

He said: “Farmers need support to tackle bovine TB where the infections arise — within the national cattle population, particularly in the larger herds.

“The answer lies in evidence-based cattle measures, delivered in partnership with vets and farmers, not in the unnecessary killing of wildlife.”

Badger Trust said Wales had already shown that bovine TB could be reduced in cattle without killing badgers, through science-led cattle measures aimed at tackling the disease more effectively and humanely.

The charity said the message from the Welsh public was clear, and that Wales should not follow England “down the path of badger culling”.

Badger Trust said: “It’s time to end the badger blame game. The science is solid, and the public has voiced its opinion; now it is time for the new government to listen and act accordingly.”

Badger Trust is the leading voice for badgers across England and Wales and works with local badger groups through its Badgers Belong Here campaign.

YOUTH players, families and volunteers from Milford Athletic FC are set to take on a sponsored mountain trek next month in a bid to raise funds for new football equipment and improvements at the growing community club.

The club will host its “Team Trek” fundraiser on June 28, with participants climbing the 1.2-mile route to the trig point at Foel Eryr in the Preseli Mountains.

Organisers hope to raise £800 to help improve training sessions and ensure matches can continue to be delivered in line with Football Association of Wales guidelines.

Funds raised will go towards purchasing new footballs, cones, posts and other training materials, as well as maintaining and replacing existing equipment. Club representatives said even essential items such as the club’s lawnmower are in need of upgrading.

A spokesperson for the club said Milford Athletic FC is committed to providing “fun grassroots football” for children and families in the community, adding that the fundraiser would help create a sustainable future for the club as it continues to grow.

They said the aim is to ensure children from “all walks of life” feel welcomed and supported, with access to high-quality training sessions and matchday experiences.

Players, friends and supporters are all expected to take part in the trek through the Preseli hills later this summer.

Historic building will be brought back into use with support from Welsh Government town centre funding

A HISTORIC Aberystwyth hotel is set to be restored and brought back into wider use as part of a major town centre regeneration scheme.

The Cambrian Hotel, on the corner of Alexandra Road and Union Street, opposite Aberystwyth railway station, is one of the latest projects to benefit from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme.

The funding is being delivered through the Growing Mid Wales Partnership, with Ceredigion County Council working alongside Powys County Council to support regeneration in key towns across the region.

Aberystwyth is one of six priority towns in Ceredigion included in the programme, along with Aberaeron, Cardigan, Lampeter, Llandysul and Tregaron.

The Cambrian Hotel dates back to before 1867 and originally operated as a coaching inn. It has also been known historically as the Commercial Inn and the Commercial Vaults.

Although the building is not statutorily listed, it lies within the Aberystwyth Town Conservation Area and is recognised for its local architectural and cultural importance.

Its distinctive features include a half-timbered frontage, decorative roof details, traditional sash and casement windows, and surviving internal period features such as joinery and coved ceilings.

In recent years, the upper floors of the building have fallen out of use as traditional hotel accommodation became less viable. The business has continued to operate as a ground-floor bar and restaurant.

The Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant will now support the restoration and conversion of the vacant upper floors into high-quality, self-contained accommodation units.

The work will be carried out sensitively, with original features repaired and retained where possible, alongside modern improvements to comfort, energy efficiency and sustainability.

Planned improvements include insulation to external walls and roof areas, upgrades to sash windows using discreet sealing systems, roof-mounted solar panels, and secure cycle storage in line with Welsh Government active travel guidance.

Council officials say the scheme will improve the appearance of a key gateway into Aberystwyth, support the local visitor economy, and help secure a sustainable future for an important historic building.

Paul Davies, Senior Architectural Technician at DB3 Architecture, and owner Jayne Fisher said: “This would not have been possible without the support provided through the Transforming Towns Programme.

“Through the scheme’s support, it was possible to deliver the work to a high standard using local craftsmen who applied their skills to carry out a range of sensitive repair works, which is something the building deserved.”

Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Carbon Management, said the project showed how the programme could help bring historic buildings back into meaningful use.

He said: “Investment through the Transforming Towns Programme is playing a vital role in strengthening our town centres, and the regeneration of the Cambrian Hotel is a prime example of how this funding can bring historic buildings back into meaningful use.

“This project will safeguard a key landmark, provide high-quality accommodation, and support the local visitor economy.

“I would encourage other businesses and property owners to explore the opportunities available through the programme.”

Further information about the Transforming Towns Grant Programme is available by emailing [email protected].