Tracey Crouch MP makes a robust case to end the badger cull
- Badger Trust Staff Team
- Jul 14, 2022
- 4 min read
A report on the 13 July 2022 parliamentary debate on badger culling
A debate on the badger cull took place in Parliament on 13 July 2022. Badger Trust, as the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales, followed this with interest. The debate was initiated by Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, and she spoke eloquently and powerfully against the cull:
“My primary motivation for speaking out against the cull was and always will be the tragic and indiscriminate killing of more than 150,000 badgers since the first two operational culling zones opened in 2014. My view is often reflected in national polling, which continues to show opposition among the general public to the cull.”
Tracey focused on the heart of the problem – the need to deal with the cattle-to-cattle transmission of bTB so that farmers can be helped effectively.
Alongside contributions from Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, she called for more investment into cattle vaccination. Tracey Crouch also pointed out that whilst vaccinating badgers was better than killing them through the cull – it was a cattle vaccination programme that would be more effective:
“May I impress on the Minister that if we are going to vaccinate, let us vaccinate the cattle?
By contrast to the wildlife, we know how many cows we have and where they are. Will the Minister update us on where we currently are regarding the research studies announced in response to the Godfray review of the candidate cattle vaccine and subsequent improved skin test, with the ambition of introduction within the next five years?”
Tracey also outlined the importance of effective cattle testing as a pivotal solution to bTB and used the successful example of Dick Sibley in Devon:
“The core element of the strategy is based on identifying and cutting off the roots of infection in the herd through enhanced testing, which is much more sensitive than the notorious skin test. This allows the farm to identify the infected cow and remove it before the disease takes hold of the herd.”
Tracey made many good points on the need to focus on enhanced biosecurity and cattle testing and vaccination in a thoughtful and informed speech. She also drew attention to Wales's success in reducing bTB without culling badgers.
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, also stressed the biodiversity importance of badgers and the scientific unease around the cull; he called on the government to liaise with the Welsh Government on their successful approach.
Finally, Tracey and Caroline asked the Minister whether the government was committed to ending the cull in 2025.
In response, the Minister, Victoria Prentis MP, stressed she did see the cattle vaccine as a game changer, and the Government was on track to introduce it in 2025 as planned.
“We are still hopeful, though, and we are very much working towards 2025 as the date for having a real vaccine for cattle that can be rolled out widely. For me, that will be the game changer.”
However, it is clear that despite the Government’s efforts on badger vaccination, they still saw badger culling as a leading part of their strategy. The Minister admitted culling of badgers and other wildlife could occur post-2025.
“If there is an outbreak, it seems right that the Minister, whoever that is, or the chief veterinary officer, depending on the circumstances, is able to take the decision to cull cattle, badgers or other species where necessary,”
This possibility of the cull going beyond even 2025 is of enormous concern to us at Badger Trust.
As Tracey Crouch MP pointed out, it’s by focusing on cattle where bTB will be reduced, and the government continuing to use badger culling as an ineffective and cruel “tool” could now be extended beyond even 2025. Badger Trust will continue to vigorously campaign against the badger cull and work to stop this needless slaughter of a native animal.
Further information:
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