Wildlife Welfare

Badger Culling Bovine TB Welfare Advanced

The badger culling policy in England is a contested wildlife management intervention with significant welfare implications for badgers and cattle.

Key Facts

England has culled over 230,000 badgers since 2013 in a bovine TB control programme
Efficacy evidence is contested; the Krebs trial showed modest reductions in cattle TB incidence
Shooting methods include cage trapping followed by shooting, and free shooting at night
Free shooting has documented high rates of wounding and prolonged death
Vaccination of badgers is an alternative with better welfare outcomes being expanded in Wales

Welfare Considerations

Badger culling causes significant welfare harm through fear, injury, and death; vaccination as a primary TB management strategy reduces this burden while maintaining disease control benefits.

What You Can Do

Support badger vaccination programmes as an alternative to culling
Engage with bovine TB policy consultations to advocate for welfare-positive strategies
Follow independent research on badger culling efficacy and welfare impact