Wildlife

Badger Welfare and Bovine TB

Badgers in the UK are central to the bovine tuberculosis debate, with culling, vaccination, and cattle testing all raising welfare questions.

Key Facts

Around 140,000 badgers have been culled in England under the bTB eradication programme
Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of badger culling is contested and complex
Badger vaccination using Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is an evidence-based, welfare-positive alternative
Badgers are social animals living in family groups called clans in extensive territories
Perturbation effect of culling can spread bTB by disrupting badger social groups

Welfare Considerations

The badger cull causes significant welfare harm to a protected species while its effectiveness remains debated. Vaccination, improved cattle testing, and biosecurity represent more welfare-positive approaches to bTB control.

What You Can Do

Support badger vaccination programmes and the charities delivering them
Advocate for policy review of the badger cull based on welfare and evidence
Engage with the bTB debate as both a cattle welfare and wildlife welfare issue
Report injured badgers to local wildlife rescue organisations
Support stricter enforcement of badger protection laws