Labour could stop badger culling by 2029, but only with a major focus on testing and vaccinating, according to a government-commissioned report.
The review, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns ministers have only a “small chance” of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038 without increased investment. The disease costs around £150m annually and has led to the culling of over 210,000 badgers since 2013.
Godfray said badgers can spread bTB to cattle, but non-lethal control is possible. Measures suggested include microchipping cattle to track movements and interactions, and scaling up vaccination for both cattle and badgers. “Vaccination is a realistic way to stop bovine TB in badgers,” he said, noting the speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollouts as a model.
Prof James Wood from Cambridge University highlighted more accurate blood tests for cattle and the potential of vaccination to reduce transmission in large herds.
Farming minister Daniel Zeichner welcomed the report, noting record badger vaccinations in 2024 and plans to deploy a new field force and cattle vaccines, with a comprehensive eradication strategy due next year.
