It’s time to end the cull: Badger Trust embarks on comprehensive cull report

Charity launches a full investigation into the failings of government’s bovine TB control strategy

Badger Trust is launching a full investigation into the failings of the current bovine TB (bTB) ‘control’ strategy. The comprehensive report, 200,000 badgers: a legacy of failed bTB policy, will bring together scientific evidence from the past decade to illustrate the true extent of what is the most toxic wildlife management strategy in Britain’s contemporary history.

The badger cull has been an integral but ineffective cornerstone of the government’s strategy to curb bTB in England since 2012. This year is set to mark a horrendous new milestone: the death of over 200,000 badgers. Yet still, bTB ravages the country, impacting the welfare of cattle, wildlife, and the farming community.

How much has this failed policy cost taxpayers, farmers, and the environment? How has bTB been effectively managed elsewhere in Britain without culling badgers? How many badgers have been killed inhumanely? What are the current levels of public support for badger culling? And how are badgers integral to Britain’s ecosystems and wildlife heritage?

Enough is enough. The controversial badger cull should never have become government policy and has gone on for far too long. The government has failed to engage with the scientific evidence that shows bTB disease control remains unaffected by mass badger culling. More than ten years on and badger setts across England now sit empty for the first time in history.

We want to hear from you

As part of this comprehensive analysis, Badger Trust is seeking to engage with policymakers and experts: epidemiologists, scientific experts in wildlife management and disease control, economists, and farmers.

We want a solution to bTB that is effective, one which safeguards the interests of native wildlife and the farming industry. If you would like to contribute to this landmark report, please email hello@badgertrust.org.uk