To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what recent progress has been made on bringing forward legislative proposals to ban new licences for badger culling in Northern Ireland.

Badgers are a protected species in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency issues licences under Article 18 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 for specific purposes such as scientific research, road development or building construction. The majority of licences issued are for development purposes and normally relate to badger sett disturbance or removal. Licence applications require relevant and sufficient supporting detail.

There are currently no plans to introduce legislation pertaining to the banning of use of badger removal licences