Extra officers braced for violent clashes as shooters begin culling thousands of badgers TODAY Officers preparing for clashes between farmers and animal rights groups 'Wounded badger patrols' will storm sites and force shooters to hold fire Cull is attempt to tackle bovine tuberculosis - transmitted by badgers Farmers believe killing animals is the only way to protect their livelihood But the plans critcised by animal rights groups and many celebrities By Paul Bentley and Martin Robinson Marksmen will begin culling thousands of badgers today amid a huge police operation to prevent disruption from protesters who plan to overrun killing sites. Officers are braced for violent clashes between farmers and animal rights campaigners who will launch 'wounded badger patrols' this morning. Activists even plan to abuse health and safety rules by storming into cull sites, forcing shooters to hold their fire. TB prevention: Marksmen will begin culling thousands of badgers today amid a huge police operation to prevent disruption from protesters Jay Tiernan of campaign group Stop the Cull said: "We will not have to stand between the guns and the badgers. Health and safety rules mean they will not shoot when people are nearby. The cull is an attempt to tackle bovine tuberculosis, which is transmitted by badgers and has led to the death of 305,000 cattle in the UK over the past decade. Farmers believe a cull is the only way to protect their livelihood - but the government scheme has been met with opposition from animal rights groups and a number of celebrities, including Brian May and Dame Judi Dench. Officers are expected to be out in force for the cull, especially following the disruption caused recently by anti-fracking protesters in West Sussex. The police operation, which will reportedly cost £4million, will see officers brought in from neighbouring counties, while private security firms will also be drafted in to help keep the peace. The past 15 years has seen a boom in bovine TB as it has spread to cattle from badgers, which urinate on grass that is then eaten by cows. The disease has ruined farmers" livelihoods and cost the taxpayer £500million over the past decade in research costs, testing and compensation payments. Farmers believe a cull is the only way to protect their livelihood - but the government scheme has been met with opposition from animal rights groups and a number of celebrities, including Brian May and Dame Judi Dench It is believed the problem will cost a further £1billion over the next ten years, and may not be eradicated for another 25 years. Over the course of a trial that begins today, as many as 5,000 badgers will be killed across 58 square miles of Gloucestershire and Somerset. The scheme will continue every year for the next four years, and is predicted to cut bovine TB by 16 per cent. Last week the National Farming Union was granted an injunction in the High Court barring anti-cull activists from approaching farmers" homes and business premises and cull sites. Animal rights groups say the authorities should vaccinate cattle and badgers instead of killing them.