National Day of Action Against the Cull
Badger Trust and our allies held a National Day of Action against the badger cull on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.
You came. In your hundreds. By train, by bus, by bicycle, on foot. You came from England, Wales, Scotland … even Belgium.
You listened to inspirational speakers. You met up with old friends and made new friends. You lobbied your MP in the place where they work for you.
You came to stand up for badgers. We thank you. The badgers thank you.
The fight to save badgers goes on
But, as the intensive badger slaughter begins again across England, badgers need your help.
It’s time for the new government to do the right thing for badgers, for farmers, for nature and #endthecull
Take action
You can still make a difference for badgers:
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Email your newly elected MP about the cull and why you want them to represent your views and stop the cull now.
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Arrange a meeting with your MP in your constituency. Tell them you're advocating for an immediate end to the cruel badger killing. Ask them what they will do to help.
Will you take action?
Your local MP works for you, whether you voted for them or not! Over 50% of newly elected MPs are completely new to their role. Returning MPs could be either in or out of government for the first time in 14 years. Now is the time to engage with them about ending the badger cull.
Your MP has an opportunity to ask for a policy reset and stop the terrible slaughter of badgers in the badger cull— the biggest assault on native wildlife in our lifetimes. But you need to help them make the right decision.
We have the science and knowledge they'll need — as their constituent, you have the power. Let them know you want them to represent your views and end the cull now before it's too late for badgers.
What you can do to take action for badgers
Here are some easy ways you can get involved and show your support for badgers. Whatever you do could make a real difference in their lives.
Sign our petition to End the Cull
It's time to stop the slaughter.
Over 230,000 legally protected badgers have been killed. That's despite growing public and scientific opposition, including reports that over 94% of bovine TB in cattle is spread from cow-to-cow, not badger.
Sign our petition and show policymakers you want protection, not extinction.
Write to your MP
Emails and letters written by a passionate constituent – especially those that are personal, original and persuasive – have the power to influence your MP.
Email your MP asking for their support to end the badger cull. Need help? Our letter-writing tips will help you get started.
Make an appointment with your MP
You can telephone or write to your MP to ask for a face-to-face appointment locally at their constituency surgery.
By telephone: Call the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000 and ask to be connected to your MP’s office.
By letter or email: Discover how to find your MP's contact details here.
MPs will generally only act on behalf of their constituents, so please check you are contacting the MP who represents your constituency.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world
Killing 230,000 native badgers—half the estimated population—is at the very heart of this unnecessary attack on nature. Badgers also face threats from high rates of wildlife crime and the rapid rise of property and road development.
Badgers have called Britain their home for 250,000 years. They have been an integral part of our shared landscape for generations.
As ecosystem engineers, badgers provide many benefits to other species. Threats to badgers and their spaces are threats to the balance of our natural environment.
Save badgers, save nature.
Protection not extinction.
Who was there?
Speakers included:
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Chris Packham, wildlife TV presenter and conservationist
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Rosie Wood, Badger Trust Chair of Trustees
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Dr Alice Brough, veterinarian whistleblower and campaigner
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Rachel Bigsby, award-winning wildlife photographer and Badger Trust Youth Ambassador
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Dr Mark Jones and Dominic Dyer, Born Free Foundation, international wildlife charity
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Rob Pownall, Protect The Wild
Representatives from the following wildlife organisations and badger groups joined us too:
What we're asking
As a registered charity and the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales, Badger Trust uses all lawful means to campaign for improved badger protection.
Recent actions include our UK legal challenge against the badger cull with Wild Justice and our ongoing Bern Convention badger cull case in Europe.
Your voice matters, too. Join in with the National Day of Action Against the Cull in any way you can and stand up for badgers.
What we’re asking all MPs
End the badger cull now
Over 230,000 badgers—half the estimated population—have been killed since 2012 in a failed attempt to control bovine TB in farmed cows. Protect the remaining wild badger population before it’s too late.
Deliver the rapid development and roll-out of a compulsory cattle vaccine and an improved cattle test
Over 94% of bovine TB is spread from cow to cow, not badgers. Stamp out bTB infection in the cattle herd and protect both farmed cows and wildlife.
Be honest about the true levels of bTB hidden in the English cattle herd
The standard bovine TB test used in England for cows is unreliable and can miss up to 50% of bTB infections. Introduce compulsory nationwide use of more sensitive (reliable) cattle testing to stop bTB spread at its source, and give enhanced compensation to affected farmers.
Commit to a ‘One Health and One Welfare’ approach to UK ecosystems
Support farmers to integrate effective cattle-based bTB control measures into their animal welfare and environmental sustainability practices.
More ways you can take action for badgers
Here are some more ways you can get involved and show your support for badgers. Whatever you do could make a real difference in their lives.
Raise local awareness about the badger cull
Get informed and share the facts! Need help?
1. Read End the Cull 2024.
2. Order your FREE End The Cull Action Pack. Your pack contains an information leaflet and postcards to send to your MP.
Volunteer to help badgers
Get involved with your local badger group. Volunteers at badger groups across the country stand up for badgers.
They do vital work within their community to rescue and rehabilitate injured badgers and protect them and their habitats.
Do you live in a cull county? Contact your local group and ask how you can help.
Sign up for badger news to stay informed
Whether it’s joining in with our events, emailing your MP, or signing a petition, we must all play our part to save badgers.
Sign up for our campaign updates to hear about all the ways you can get involved for badgers.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote and enhance the welfare, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts and their habitats.
What we’re doing
We will continue to do all that we can to promote and enhance the welfare, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts and their habitats. We will work with all people who share those aims and want to see nature protected, not driven to extinction levels.
