FARMERS wanting to cull badgers face a bill of more than £1 million even before they can start taking action to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle.

Ministers have announced plans that could lead to the creation of 40 badger culling zones, with most likely to be sited in the South West. Farmers and landowners will have to pay for a licence, with Government officials estimating an average-sized cull will cost around £1.4 million. Costs for the four-year culls include co-ordination, wages for marksmen and vaccinations in areas where the sick animals cannot be shot.