Description:
The Badger Trust is a limited company (number 5460677) and a registered charity (number 1111440) which
promotes the conservation and welfare of badgers and the protection of their setts and habitats. We are
the leading voice for badgers and represent and support around 80 local voluntary badger groups. The
Badger Trust provides expert advice on all badger issues and works closely with MPs, the police and
other conservation and welfare organisations. We use all lawful means to campaign for the improved
protection of badgers and the Trust is a member of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW).
The Badger Trust has its origins in the fifth Annual Badger Groups Convention which took place in 1985 in
Godstone, Surrey. Those present felt that there was an urgent need to set up a national body which could
provide a coordinated and effective response to issues of common concern to Badger Groups. The impetus for
this initiative was the impending publication of the Dunnet report on badgers and bovine tuberculosis. The
inaugural meeting of the National Federation of Badger Groups (NFBG) was held on January 18th 1986 at
Westonbirt in Gloucestershire, and was attended by representatives from 19 existing and emerging Badger
Groups.
Today, badgers are still being slaughtered by the Government in the vain hope that this will eliminate
bTB in cattle. This means that the issue of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) continues to be a high priority for
action, just as it was in the 1980's when the Federation was launched. However, there are also many other
issues which the NFBG - now re-named the Badger Trust - is actively addressing. These include snares and
other forms of persecution which maim and kill badgers, developments which destroy badger setts and
foraging grounds, and road traffic which kills tens of thousands of badgers every year.
To carry out our work, we employ two full time members of staff (Dr Elaine King, our Chief Executive, and
Mark Smith, our Marketing and Fundraising Officer) and one part-time Administrative Officer (Susan Symes)
who work from our office in London. Our organisation is run by a Board of Directors, and we have also set
up Working Parties to look into issues of particular concern.
|
