Wildlife

Wild Badger Culling Welfare Controversy

The ongoing controversy over badger culling as a bovine TB control measure and welfare implications for badgers and cattle.

Key Facts

Badger culling has been used in England since 2013 to control bTB in cattle
The Independent Scientific Group concluded that culling could not meaningfully contribute to bTB control
Injured badgers can take many minutes to die after shooting, raising significant welfare concerns
Badger vaccination provides immunity without killing and is used in some areas
Wales pursues a vaccination-based approach rather than culling

Welfare Considerations

Badger culling causes direct welfare harm through injury and slow death of individual animals. Its efficacy in controlling bTB in cattle is contested. Where the scientific evidence is unclear, precautionary welfare protection is warranted.

What You Can Do

Support badger vaccination programs as an alternative to lethal culling
Engage with government consultations on bTB control policy
Advocate for independent welfare assessment of culling methods and outcomes