Government announces TB Eradication Strategy to end the badger cull

Government announces TB Eradication Strategy to end the badger cull

Written by Defra Press Office

There has been widespread coverage across trade media outlets of the announcement of the Government’s new Bovine Tuberculosis eradication strategy.

Over the past decade, TB has had a devastating impact on threatened British livestock and wildlife. Over 278,000 cattle have been compulsorily slaughtered and over 230,000 badgers have been killed in efforts to control the disease.

The measures to be introduced under the strategy include a survey of the badger population for the first time in a decade, a wildlife surveillance programme, the launch of a Badger Vaccinator Field Force and a badger vaccination study to end the cull by the end of this parliament, which currently costs taxpayers more than £100 million every year.

The Government has also stated that it aims to bring the badger cull to an end within this Parliament and the strategy will be an important part of the effort to eliminate bovine TB by 2038.

This announcement ensures the government meets its manifesto commitment and represents a new direction in defeating this disease that will both protect the farming community and preserve wildlife.

Publications such as The Times, The Guardian, BBC, I News, ITV News, Sky News, Daily Mail and Farmers Guardian covered the news.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner said: 

Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long.

It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations.

No more. Our comprehensive TB eradication package will allow us to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament and stop the spread of this horrific disease.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult and prolonged animal disease challenges we face, causing devastation for farming communities.

There is no single way to combat it, and a refreshed strategy will continue to be led by the very best scientific and epidemiological evidence. With the disease on a downward trajectory, we are at a crucial point. Working in collaboration with government and stakeholders will be the only way we achieve our target to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in England by 2038.

John Cross, chair of the bTB Partnership said:

As chair of the bTB Partnership for England, I am delighted to hear Minister Zeichner’s intention to refresh the current bTB strategy. Ten years after its launch, the time is right to look again at the tools we use to tackle this persistent disease.

Bovine TB is the common enemy, not farmers or wildlife groups. Only by working together, will we reach our goal.

The government will also publish additional information about animal and herd-level bTB risk – for example, the date and type of the most recent TB test completed in the herd of origin of that animal and how long the animal has been in the herd.

This greater level of detail will be made available on ibTB – a free to access interactive map set up to help cattle farmers and their vets understand the level of bovine TB in their area and manage the risks when purchasing cattle.

Today’s announcement ensures the government meets its manifesto commitment and represents a new direction in defeating this disease that will both protect the farming community and preserve wildlife.

• Follow Defra on Twitter, and sign up for email alerts here.

Continue reading on Defra Website...