In a significant drive to end the UK badger cull, tuberculosis (TB) vaccinations administered to badgers in England increased by almost a quarter to reach a record high in 2024, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Defra said that 4,110 badgers were given the TB vaccine in England last year, an increase of 1,000 vaccinations in comparison to 2023. That is up 24% on vaccinations in 2023.
The department added that a new Badger Vaccination Field Force is set to come into force next year in attempts to increase badger vaccination and drive down TB rates.
The latest figures published by the department suggest there was a significant reduction in the culling of badgers in 2024 (down 12% compared to 2023),
That brings the numbers down to half the amount culled during the peak of the policy.
However, the department added that bovine TB (bTB) remains of the most challenging and costly animal diseases across the UK.
According to Defra, bTB has led to the compulsory slaughtering of over 278,000 cattle and the culling of 230,000 badgers since 2013, costing taxpayers £100 million yearly.
Positive outlook
Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Daniel Zeichner said; ““Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long.
“It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations.
“We promised a comprehensive TB eradication package, which will allow us to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament, and that this what we are delivering – with today’s figures showing the clear progress we are making.”
UK chief veterinary officer (CVO), Dr. Christine Middlemiss said; “Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult and prolonged animal disease challenges we face, causing devastation for farming communities.
“The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work.”
The government announced their plans for this TB eradication programme last August in an attempt to end the badger cull across England and Wales.
Since then, a substantial badger population survey took place in February, the first in over a decade. More surveying is scheduled later this year.
As well as this, the government is field-trialling cattle vaccination against TB in areas of England and Wales where there is a low incidence of bTB, with the next phase set to take place this summer
