Bovine TB: Welfare Implications of Testing and Culling
Bovine tuberculosis control creates significant welfare considerations both for cattle testing positive and for the industry's impact on badger populations.
Key Facts
- Bovine TB remains a major animal health problem in the UK, Ireland, and many other countries
- Skin testing identifies infected cattle, which are then compulsorily slaughtered
- Badgers are a wildlife reservoir, creating complex wildlife-livestock welfare interactions
- Badger culling has been controversial, with significant welfare concerns about culling methods
- Vaccination of badgers and cattle offers a more welfare-positive long-term solution
Welfare Considerations
Bovine TB creates layered welfare problems across species. Cattle with TB experience disease progression including weight loss, respiratory signs, and systemic illness, but most are identified and killed before advanced disease develops. The compulsory slaughter of reactor cattle causes herd disruption and loss of individual animals owners may have significant relationships with. Badger welfare is profoundly affected by culling programs, with free shooting raising concerns about wounding rates and protracted suffering. Vaccination programs for both species offer a path forward that addresses disease control without the welfare costs of culling.
What You Can Do
- Support TB vaccination research and rollout for both cattle and badgers
- Advocate for welfare-positive TB control strategies over culling
- Follow biosecurity measures to reduce TB spread between herds
- Comply with testing requirements while advocating for systemic reform
- Support farmers affected by TB through community networks and practical assistance