MORE than 3,000 badgers were culled across Dorset this year.

The figures have been published by Defra after the second annual cull in the county.

In West Dorset – described as area 8 - 1,851 animals were killed by marksmen while 15 were shot at but got away.

Five animals were wounded by shots but lost by the marksmen. In the same area, 1,149 badgers were culled by the second method, trapping.

In north Dorset – area 3 – 386 badgers were shot while 502 were trapped and killed.

The policy is part of a 25-year strategy to eradicate TB, which has hit farmers in Dorset and across the south west.

As well as the cull there are limitations on movement of cattle.

Natural England confirmed in August that a cull licence had been granted to kill at least 2,961 badgers in Dorset. The maximum number for the licence was 4,099 badgers across the two areas of Dorset.

In a report, a spokesman for Defra said the cull had been successful.

“The results from 2016 indicate that all ten badger control companies have delivered the level of badger removal required to be confident of disease control benefits and that the operations were carried out to a high standard of public safety.

“The levels of controlled shooting accuracy achieved in this year’s operations were similar to those in the previous years. The likelihood of suffering in badgers is comparable with the range of outcomes reported when other control activities, currently accepted by society, have been assessed. Licensed farmers and landowners will need to continue to ensure that their contractors receive vigorous training to maintain high standards of effectiveness, humanness and safety.”

Figures released by Defra earlier this year revealed that more than 1,000 cattle were slaughtered in Dorset between March 2015 and March 2016. The figures reveal that incidences of TB in cattle are continuing to rise.

Wildlife groups, including Dorset Wildlife Trust, continue to question the effectiveness of the badger cull, and suggest vaccinating the animals is a more humane and effective solution.

But the NFU backs the policy, saying it is one tool of many that farmers can use to tackle the crisis hitting their industry.