NATURAL England has received applications or expressions of interest for licences to cull badgers in Herefordshire. A public notice published in the Hereford Times gives people opportunity to comment on the potential impacts to their business or livelihoods if a licence application were successful. There is no evidence to date, Defra says, that any of the previous culls in existing areas have had a negative impact on local tourism and business. Natural England will not release maps or other information revealing the positions of the boundaries for each cull area. “We are unable to release exact details of any control areas, individual land holdings or participants because of concerns for public safety and data protection legislation. “The culling of badgers,” they continue, “is a sensitive issue therefore we withhold the personal information of those participating, due to the risk of distress or damage caused by groups opposed to the policy disrupting control activity.�