MPs condemn badger cull as ineffective – Badger Trust urges cattle-focused TB measures

Badger Trust applauds MPs for championing humane, evidence-based solutions to bovine TB.

MPs met at Westminster Hall yesterday (13 October 2025) to debate Bovine Tuberculosis Control and Badger Culling. 

The MPs in attendance were generally in agreement in their criticism of badger culling, condemning the cull as cruel, ineffective, and scientifically unjustified. MPs emphasised frustration over outdated and ineffective strategies for bTB control, and there was widespread support for shifting toward science-driven, humane approaches, including greater cattle testing, vaccination, biosecurity, and data sharing. 

While acknowledging the challenges of bovine TB and the pressures faced by farmers, speakers at the debate consistently called for innovation, accountability, and cooperation, asserting that “We cannot continue to kill our way out of the TB crisis. ”

“We cannot continue to kill our way out of the TB crisis.” - Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury and Somerton)

While some MPs argued culling should remain a tool for reducing bTB wildlife reservoirs in high-risk areas alongside cattle measures, these were relatively limited. It was, however, disappointing to hear the continued repetition of misinformation, particularly regarding the conclusions attributed to Dr. Birch in 2024 by opposition MPs. In reality, Birch has confirmed that he was unable to distinguish between the effects of compulsory cattle measures and those of badger culling on the observed changes in bovine TB rates in cattle.

Sarah Dyke called for investment in vaccines, biosecurity, and farmer support, including further funding, and for agencies to coordinate more effectively. 

The debate was held in response to 102,000 signatures on the petition “End the Badger Cull and Adopt Other Approaches to Bovine TB Control,” created by Protect the Wild.

In response to the petition, the Government responded by saying:

“Existing cull processes will be honoured to ensure clarity for farmers involved in these culls, whilst new measures can be rolled out. However, the government has decided that it will not be proceeding with the proposals drawn up under the previous government relating to targeted badger culling.”

It is important to note that debates in Westminster Hall do not involve a vote on a particular action or decision. Their purpose is to raise awareness of issues, put MPs' views on subjects on record, and seek to influence government policy. 

Over the past decade, 247,000 badgers, a protected native species vital to Britain’s ecosystems, have been killed, alongside 278,000 cattle slaughtered due to bovine tuberculosis (bTB). 

Image by @campaulcam

While positive to hear so many MPs in support of ending the cull, Badger Trust notes that culling is still happening right now, as intensive culls enter their seventh week in much of England, and supplementary culls are ongoing until January. Labour needs to fulfil its promise to end the cull now. 

We welcome the confirmation that most cull licences are set to end by 2026. However, we remain deeply concerned that the low-risk area licence in Cumbria may continue beyond this date and could remain in place until 2029, pending scientific evaluation. Given the strong evidence and widespread sentiment that culling is ineffective, this licence must also be brought to an end in line with the others.

Badger Trust urges the Government to stand by its convictions and bring an immediate end to the badger cull. It is time to stop the badger blame game. Rather than investing further time and resources into vaccinating badgers, the focus must now shift to cattle-based measures, understanding hidden bTB in the herd, improved testing, and the rollout of an effective cattle vaccine.

👉 Read the full transcript of the debate here: Bovine Tuberculosis Control and Badger Culling - Hansard - UK Parliament