(Catherine Rogan/Shutterstock.com)

UK Government Announces End To Badger Culling

Culling badgers to protect cattle against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is to be phased out in the UK.

Intensive badger culling has been common practice for over a decade, and has been campaigned against by a number of organizations and celebrities.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) recently conducted a study that suggests vaccinations could be an effective preventative measure, prompting the government to adjust its policy.

“A Slow-Moving And Insidious Disease”

“Bovine TB is a slow-moving and insidious disease,” said George Eustice, environment secretary.

“Leading to the slaughter of over 30,000 cattle every year and considerable trauma for farmers as they suffer the loss of highly prized animals and valued herds.”

A cattle vaccine will be made available within the next five years, with the view to eliminate the disease entirely by 2038.

Badgers are a protected species in the UK (Milan Zygmunt/Shutterstock.com)

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Badger Culling

“The badger cull has led to a significant reduction in the disease as demonstrated by recent academic research and past studies,” said Eustice.

“But no-one wants to continue the cull of this protected species indefinitely so, once the weight of disease in wildlife has been addressed, we will accelerate other elements of our strategy, including improved diagnostics and cattle vaccination to sustain the downward trajectory of the disease.”

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