ANIMAL rights activists were up in arms again yesterday as the government announced another new badger cull.

The cuddly-looking mammals are accused of spreading bovine TB — a claim widely criticised by scientists and activists alike.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said the policy was “vital” for the nation’s food security.”

But Badger Trust and Care for the Wild spokesman Dominic Dyer branded the culls “ill-conceived and incompetently managed.”

Most scientists argue cattle vaccination is the only route to effectively control and eradicate bovine TB.

The executive director of Human Society International Mark Jones believed the cull was a “waste of time.”

The vet added that farmers were “misled” in thinking badger culls were effective.

Earlier this year the High Court rejected a judicial review on the need for independent monitoring of the cull.

Activists are expected to take the decision to the Court of Appeal.