Badgers are implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis to cattle. The science, welfare, and ethics of culling versus vaccination are subjects of ongoing debate.
Badger culling raises significant welfare concerns. Both methods used — cage trapping and shooting, and controlled shooting (free shooting) — involve risks of inhumane killing and prolonged suffering if not conducted to a high standard. Free shooting of badgers at night under licence has been criticised for unacceptably high wounding rates in some studies. Culled badgers die for a policy benefit that is contested and partial. The welfare case for vaccination over culling is strong if vaccination can achieve comparable disease reduction — vaccinated badgers remain alive in their social groups, maintaining natural behaviour. Ongoing research into vaccination efficacy and oral vaccine deployment is critical.