Natural England Fails Badgers Again

Over 10,000 Badgers Killed in 2024 Cull Despite Chief Scientist’s Advice

Back in April 2024, Dr. Peter Brotherton, Natural England’s Director of Science, conducted a thorough review and concluded that authorising additional supplementary badger culls to prevent the spread of Bovine TB is no longer justified. 

And yet, in documents discovered by Badger Trust, Dr Brotherton’s advice was ignored and the 2024 Supplementary Badger Culls were licensed by Natural England, citing that one of their key factors was their relationship with farmers.

The Secretary of State laid out clear criteria on the considerations that Natural England should consider when issuing licences to kill badgers, and their relationships with farmers were not one of them.

Dr Brotherton’s conclusion from his review in 2024 was clear:

“Based on this evidence, my advice remains that I can find no justification for authorising further supplementary badger culls in 2025 for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease, and I recommend against doing so.”

The review outlined three potential scenarios, noting that issuing new badger cull licences:

"would expose Natural England to increased scrutiny and potential legal challenges from culling opponents, given that this decision contradicts the advice of the Director of Science."

Naturally, Badger Trust and Wild Justice responded by taking action.

Badger Trust believe that the 2024 Supplementary cull licenses, which were granted for reasons outside of the scope of the advice Natural England has to follow, have led directly to the killing of 10,697 badgers. 

However, these figures have yet to be officially released, but have not been contested.

Badger Trust Chief Executive, Nigel Palmer, said: 

Natural England has failed to safeguard badgers and is perpetuating a Badger Blame Game. For far too long, successive governments have used badgers as scapegoats, all while ignoring the fact that an overwhelming 94% of bTB transmission occurs from cattle to cattle.

Badger Trust’s 'Tackling Bovine TB Together' report, a comprehensive and well-researched document, outlines how the government could set about eradicating Bovine TB. It proposes the use of advanced tools and technologies, rather than persisting with the disastrous and fundamentally flawed policy of culling badgers.

Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at Born Free Foundation, said

“Born Free has always opposed badger culling as part of the Government's efforts to control bovine TB in cattle, because it is unscientific, inhumane, ineffective and unnecessary. The incoming Labour government described the culls as ‘ineffective’ in its 2024 election manifesto, and Natural England’s own Director of Science advised that there was no justification for issuing further supplementary badger culling licenses last year, yet the supplementary culls went ahead resulting in the death of more than 10,000 additional badgers in 2024, bringing the total number killed since 2013 to more than a quarter of a million. 

We stand with Badger Trust and Wild Justice in calling on the government to bring an immediate end to this tragic injustice. No more badgers should suffer and die for this flawed policy.”

There is an evident lack of coordination among government departments, and a troubling dismissal of Dr. Brotherton’s advice, which shows a shocking disregard for science data, facts, and their experts. 

The British public widely opposes Badger culling. The Labour government's pre-election promise was to end these ineffective culls, yet they have authorised them again for 2025. 

We call on the Minister to release the data behind this decision and clarify when the culls will end, and focus on the main issue, which is addressing Bovine TB in cattle. This transparency is crucial for the public to understand the decisions being made.

"Natural England has failed to safeguard badgers and is perpetuating a Badger Blame Game. For far too long, successive governments have used badgers as scapegoats, all while ignoring the fact that an overwhelming 94% of bTB transmission occurs from cattle to cattle.

Nigel Palmer, CEO, Badger Trust

The incoming Labour government described the culls as ‘ineffective’ in its 2024 election manifesto, and Natural England’s own Director of Science advised that there was no justification for issuing further supplementary badger culling licenses last year, yet the supplementary culls went ahead, resulting in the death of more than 10,000 additional badgers in 2024

Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy, Born Free Foundation

Support Badger Trust and Wild Justice in our legal efforts to end the culls. Contact your MP and join us in our fight against this flawed policy.