March 18, 2024

 

UK government mulls continued targeted badger culling to tackle bovine TB

The UK government is considering the continuation of targeted badger culling in high-risk areas to combat tuberculosis in cattle, Shropshire Star reported.

 

Intensive multi-year culls of badgers aimed at curbing bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which can transmit between wild animals and cattle, are being phased out across swathes of England, with the existing policy scheduled to conclude by January 2026.

 

In a fresh consultation outlining future strategies, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has proposed that targeted badger culling could persist where evidence suggests it is necessary.

 

This approach would focus on "hotspots" within high-risk and buffer zones, primarily in southwest and central England, where elevated levels of infection in cattle and indications of badger involvement in the local disease cycle are observed.

 

The targeted culling would continue until improvements in the disease situation are noted, subject to annual reviews by the UK's chief veterinary officer, as outlined by Defra.

 

Following the culling phase, badger vaccination programmes would be implemented to sustain the disease reduction achieved through culling efforts.

 

Defra reported that the government's current strategy, including intensive and supplementary culling, has contributed to a near 20-year low in new bovine TB cases.

 

Under the proposed plans, culling licensees would be obligated to administer badger vaccinations once culls are deemed necessary, with governmental support in funding, training, and monitoring.

 

The envisioned targeted culling would encompass clusters of farms with high TB prevalence, as opposed to localized farm-level culling reactions to outbreaks, which may exacerbate the disease's spread.

 

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay emphasised the necessity of badger culling in combatting bTB, acknowledging its effectiveness while stressing the importance of continued vigilance.

 

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss echoed this sentiment, highlighting the strategic approach based on scientific evidence to curb bTB.

 

The consultation seeks input on expanding the disclosure of bTB risk information at the animal and herd levels to aid informed decision-making in cattle procurement.

 

While recognising the challenges faced by the farming community, conservationists urge prioritising cattle-focused measures over badger culling to effectively address the issue.

 

-      Shropshire Star