I have received numerous emails expressing concerns about the culling of badgers as part of the strategy to regulate bovine TB. I appreciate the active participation of my constituents in this important matter, and I want to assure you that the Government takes all views into careful consideration.
Bovine TB poses a significant threat to animal health in the UK, causing substantial losses to our beef and dairy farms and burdening taxpayers with a cost of £100 million annually. In 2020, nearly 28,000 animals were slaughtered in England due to TB, marking a decline from over 30,000 in the previous year. To address this issue, the Government has developed a 25-year strategy to eradicate the disease and safeguard the UK's dairy and beef industries. The strategy encompasses various measures, such as stringent cattle surveillance programs, robust animal movement controls, promoting effective biosecurity practices, and managing the badger population in areas heavily affected by the disease.
A critical aspect of the Government's approach is investing in the development of new and improved tools. Considerable funding has been allocated to research projects, focusing on areas such as cattle vaccination and enhanced diagnostics. That funding has already resulted in a major breakthrough by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in developing a test that can differentiate TB-infected among vaccinated cattle (a DIVA test). Ground-breaking cattle vaccination trials began in England and Wales in June 2021, with the aim of having a deployable TB vaccine for cattle within the next 5 years. I will monitor these developments and support their further progress.
The badger cull, while controversial, plays a crucial role in the comprehensive strategy to combat bovine TB. International experiences from countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland have shown that effective disease control requires addressing both cattle and wildlife. The evidence suggests that after three years of culling, bovine TB incidence in cull areas reduced by 45%, and after four years, the reduction reached 50%. It is important to note that the badger cull is just one component of a multifaceted approach that includes strengthening cattle testing, movement controls, and other preventative measures.
I believe that all necessary measures must be used to eradicate this devastating disease, and I am pleased to note early success. By deploying a range of policy interventions, we can turn the tide and achieve the long-term objective of eradicating it by 2038. This strategy sets out a range of evidence-led interventions to tackle the disease in both cattle and wildlife, including strengthening cattle testing and movement controls, introducing new help for herd owners to improve biosecurity measures on farms and to help manage down the risk of bringing the disease into their herds and supporting the deployment of badger vaccination.
Developing new and better tools is an important part of the Government’s programme of work. The Government continues to fund major research, including on cattle vaccination and improved diagnostics. That funding has already resulted in a major breakthrough by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in developing a test that can differentiate TB-infected among vaccinated cattle (a DIVA test). World-leading vaccination trials in cattle began in England and Wales in June 2021. Ministers’ aim is to have a deployable TB vaccine for cattle within the next few years. This is an issue I will continue to follow closely.
Badger Protection
Badger persecution is one of seven UK wildlife crime priorities. Priority areas are those which are assessed as posing the greatest current threat to either the conservation status of a species or which show the highest volume of crime and therefore, they are assessed as requiring an immediate UK-wide response.
In England, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 restricts the killing, injuring, or taking of badgers, or interference with their setts. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection against certain methods of killing or taking.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 brought in tougher sentences for animal cruelty, raising the maximum prison sentence from six months to five years. As well as a prison sentence, offenders can also receive an unlimited fine. This means that the UK has some of the toughest sentences for animal cruelty in Europe, ensuring that courts are able to enforce extended penalties for those who cruelly mistreat any animal, sending a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.
By taking a strong stance against badger persecution, the UK strives to set an example for the rest of the world, advocating for the protection of wildlife and the preservation of our natural heritage.
Thank you to all those who have contacted me to share their views on the culling of badgers and the eradication of bovine TB. Your concerns are crucial in shaping our approach to this complex issue. By implementing a multifaceted strategy that includes badger culling, enhanced cattle testing, improved biosecurity measures, and significant investment in research and development, we can combat bovine TB effectively and safeguard the health of our livestock industry. I remain committed to closely monitoring progress, supporting further advancements, and ensuring the welfare of both cattle and badgers in our pursuit to eradicate this devastating disease by 2038.