A "scientifically led" cull of diseased badgers will be carried out by the new Government to end the destruction caused by bovine tuberculosis, Farms Minister Jim Paice vowed yesterday.

Speaking during a tour of the Devon County Show, Mr Paice said the Conservative election undertaking would be pursued as quickly as possible.

He said: "We undertook to proceed with a scientifically led cull in hotspot areas and that is just what I am going to do."

But, he stressed, culling sick wildlife would be only part of a whole programme that should be undertaken officially, managed and conducted properly.

"Clearly, we cannot just issue licenses to people to go out and cull badgers," said Mr Paice.

"It all has to be part of a well run scheme – and the whole business needs a lot of sorting out."

But, with 40,000 cattle slaughtered last year, having failed TB tests, he conceded that the industry needed to get on with measures that would work efficiently.

He warned: "It would be foolish to pretend we shan't meet opposition to a cull. There will undoubtedly be a judicial challenge."

He believed the PCR test which identifies diseased badger setts, would have a role to play in any culling campaign, and the experiences of culls in Ireland and Wales needed close consideration.

Meanwhile the search would continue into vaccination for cattle

On other issues, Mr Paice said Tory commitments on the provision of affordable rural housing and on a free vote on hunting, would be honoured.

And the government remained intent on abolishing regional Development Agencies and returning decision making to local authorities, he said.