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Badgers; phasing out the cull, or the species?

Updated: Oct 27, 2023



Introduction


On March 5th 2020, the U.K Government proposed it would phase out its current badger cull strategy to make way for a non-lethal approach; vaccination. This seems to have made many believe that the cull is coming to a fast halt.


While the Government’s top priority is to develop and deploy a cattle vaccine within the next 5 years, the cull is far from over. So, let’s dig into the undergrowth to uproot rumours, as we seek clarity towards the current status of the badger cull in Britain, and what this means for our Badger (Meles meles) population.

The Cull


Where it started


Bovine TB was initially a serious problem in Victorian England where dairy cattle kept in and around cities were infected with bovine TB, mixed with people crowded together in insanitary conditions. Circumstances lead to many people dying of the disease, especially children.


Since a badger in Gloucester was found to have tuberculosis (TB) in 1971, England and Wales have been killing badgers in an attempt to prevent and control bovine TB (bTB) in cattle. Now, even then, many would deem it unethical to be killing native, wild animals in an attempt to save our domesticated, non-native cattle. But, a mound of scientific research since proving its ineffectiveness, questions current motives behind of the ongoings of, perhaps, a largely out-dated method.


Transmission


There are several routes of possible transmission between the two species. Firstly, directly, through aerosol transmission and respiratory routes. This requires two individuals to be within 2-3 meters of one another. Secondly, indirectly, through urine and faeces.


The disease does more than just travel in one direction though, as research shows its capabilities of transmission from cow to cow and badger to cow, but also badger to badger and cow to badger. It is also important to note that badgers and cows are not the only animals involved in the transmission web of this disease.


In more recent years


In 2014 an updated strategy was introduced. The U.K has been split into three grades in relation to their bTB risks. High risk areas (HRAs) encompass the south-west and west midlands, low risk areas lie in the north, east and south-east of England. Then, edge areas (EAs) create the corridor between the two. Culling strategies differ between these areas along with the associated funding, budgets and legislations. Within edge areas, the government runs a ‘Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme’, meaning that badger vaccinations here receive financial help from the government. High risk areas however, receive no such support, and culling is the main form of control efforts in these areas. LRA’s are not exempt from the cull either, as culling is permitted on case-by-case basis in such locations.


This inconsistent approach across Britain makes it no surprise that there is still lots of confusion surrounding public perception of the badger cull.


Government figures show that 67,318 badgers were killed between 2013-2018. While a further 35,034 were killed during in 2019, bringing the total number of badgers killed since 2013 up to a staggering 102,352.


‘Controlled shooting’ is the main form of culling. Despite the British veterinary association deeming this as inhumane, the percentage killed by this method rose from 63.63% in 2018 to 70.35% in 2019.


Please take a look at this blog post on the Somerset Badger Groups website if you’d like to read more information of the latest cull update.



But what about the vaccine, I hear you ask?


The government have put forward aims to move towards non-lethal control of bovine TB instead; vaccination of both badgers and cattle.


However, as outlined above the strategy does not mean that badger culling will stop.


Intensive badger culls already take place in over 57% of the HRA and the strategy confirms an intention by 2021 to increase the area by another 20%, and to continue to issue cull licenses for the next 5 years, until a vaccination can be effectively deployed.

Thankfully, vaccinations are still taking place in HRAs due to public and business donations towards the cause. But due to governmental decisions, these huge efforts are outweighed by the ongoing culling in the same areas, meaning even vaccinated badgers are not exempt from being culled.


Going Forward


The government’s plans to assist farmers in cull areas who do not wish to take part in the cull, by offering a vaccination strategy. This opens up a great opportunity for Farmers to work with local groups and organisations to push forward this government backed vaccination strategy.


So, while the cull is still very much ongoing, there will be opportunities to opt-out without taking on the financial burden of doing so. This I believe is a great start in the right direction, and if all goes to plan, the government’s commitment towards the creation of a usable cattle vaccine by 2025 will aid the phasing out of the intensive badger cull, replacing it with the badger vaccine.


So, lets hope that these strategies are successful, and we can wave goodbye to the intensive cull in upcoming years after all!


BAN THE SHOOTING OF BADGERS PETITION:


This petition has currently reached 75k signitures. At 100k it will be considered for debate in Parliament.


Please click the link below to sign:


References:

· Allen, A.R., Skuce, R.A., McDowell, S.W. and Branch, B., 2011. Bovine TB: a review of badger-to-cattle transmission. Belfast: UK: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

· Benham, P.A. and Broom, D.M., 1989. Interactions between cattle and badgers at pasture with reference to bovine tuberculosis transmission. British Veterinary Journal, 145(3), pp.226-241.

· Menzies, F.D. and Neill, S.D., 2000. Cattle-to-cattle transmission of bovine tuberculosis. The Veterinary Journal, 160(2), pp.92-106.

· Bovine TB Risk Map for Great Britain - https://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/assets/4148

· The History of bovine TB - https://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/assets/4148

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