Badger Culling Policy - Welfare and Evidence Review

A welfare and evidence review of badger culling as a bovine tuberculosis control policy in the UK.

Key Facts

England has culled approximately 220,000 badgers since 2013 under licensed culling operations
Botched shot badgers - those not killed outright - experience severe wounding with up to 10-15% rates in early culls
Independent scientific review (Donnelly et al.) found culling provides limited benefit and risk of perturbation effects
Cattle-based interventions including improved testing and movement controls have stronger evidence for TB control
Vaccination programmes for badgers are being trialled as a more welfare-compatible alternative

Welfare Considerations

This topic has significant welfare implications for the animals involved. Evidence-based management approaches and appropriate veterinary care can substantially improve outcomes.

What You Can Do

Consult your veterinarian for guidance specific to your situation
Follow evidence-based management protocols
Monitor animals closely and intervene promptly when welfare concerns arise
Stay updated with current research and best practices
Share knowledge with others to improve welfare across the sector