The government is to make a statement to Parliament on the proposed cull of of thousands of badgers in England, amid reports it will delay the scheme.
Under the coalition's plans, as many as 100,000 badgers could be shot by trained marksmen, in an effort to reduce levels of bovine TB.
Opponents say this is unnecessary and cruel, but ministers argue it is an effective way of fighting the disease.
But a government source said: "We are committed to the cull."
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson will make a statement at 12:30 BST.
The Guardian newspaper reports that the badger cull, due to be piloted in south-west England, will be delayed until at least next year.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says the action is necessary to protect cattle from bovine TB.
Last year, 26,000 cattle in England had to be slaughtered after contracting the disease.
The Welsh government has opted for a system of vaccination while Scotland is officially TB-free.
The government's plan is based on the results of a nine-year trial which showed the spread of the disease could be slowed slightly if more than 70% of badgers in an area could be eradicated.
But if it was less than 70%, the spread of TB could increase, it found.
Unlike previous test culls, badgers will be shot in the open without first being trapped in cages.
Opponents, including the RSPCA, say that is inhumane.
An e-petition to the government, created by Queen guitarist Brian May, has attracted more than 160,000 signatures.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20039697#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
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