Bovine tuberculosis in cattle is controlled partly through badger culling in England, a policy that has generated intense welfare and scientific debate. Understanding the evidence and alternatives is essential.
Badger culling welfare involves the interests of individual badgers killed and the question of whether welfare cost is justified by TB reduction benefit. The scientific evidence that culling produces meaningful TB reduction is weaker than often presented. Vaccination is a welfare-superior alternative with comparable effectiveness. The growing government commitment to vaccination funding represents important policy evolution.