The coalition government has cut a project to vaccinate badgers against bovine TB. It was due to take place this summer, in six areas of England where there is a high incidence of bovine TB in cattle. 
 

The project regarding the use of an injectable badger tuberculosis vaccine was initially announced on Thursday, 19 March by the then Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn. He said that the first vaccine against bovine tuberculosis (TB) in badgers would be used in the field in England, in Staffordshire, Herefordshire/Worcestershire and Devon.

The government has now announced that that the vaccinations will only take place in a limited area of Gloucestershire. And Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice, has said culling badgers is also under consideration.

A 'short-sighted' policy

As a result of this change of policy we have issued the following statement:
 

The RSPCA is extremely dismayed to learn that the Government is only going to vaccinate badgers against bovine TB in a limited area of Gloucestershire, rather than six areas in Staffordshire, Herefordshire/Worcestershire and Devon as was originally planned.

We believe this is a very short-sighted policy. Using the recently-approved badger vaccine is an important step in the right direction. Vaccinating badgers combined with increasing the level of cattle testing, improving biosecurity and imposing stricter controls on the movement of cattle are the ways most likely to be sustainable and effective in reducing the incidence of bovine TB.

On the basis of the current science, welfare concerns, and a realistic assessment of what is practical, any decision for a widespread cull of badgers would be totally unacceptable to the RSPCA.
 

Back off badgers!

Show your support against the possible badger cull in England.
 

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