Defra ministers mull epi culling to tackle TB spread

Defra plans to consult on reserving the right to targeted badger culling to tackle bovine TB where epidemiological assessment points to a reservoir of disease in wildlife, according to reports.

The “epi-culling” policy would allow ministers to intervene and remove badgers in areas of England where a cluster of new TB herd breakdowns is linked to disease transmission in wildlife.

Animal rights groups have accused the government of performing a U-turn on its badger culling policy after it previously stated intensive culls would end by 2025 and be replaced by vaccination of both cattle and badgers

See also: Is England on track for a healthy cattle herd and TB-free future?

However, speaking at the Royal Welsh Show in July, Defra secretary Therese Coffey said her department would continue to cull badgers, if the science shows it is working to reduce cattle TB.

According to The Independent, a letter from rural affairs minister Lord Benyon states the Westminster government is developing plans for a “targeted, cluster-based approach” to disease control.

“Both badger vaccination and badger culling will have a role to play in this; they are complementary eradication tools, especially when underpinned by enhanced wildlife surveillance,” the letter states.

“As such, there would continue to be provision for culling on a targeted basis, where epidemiological evidence suggests this is appropriate.”

The letter also states that, subject to ministerial agreement, the government plans to consult on the targeted culling plan alongside other disease control measures this autumn.

Farmers Weekly understands Defra plans to make an announcement on its bovine TB policy later this week.

But sources suggest this is more likely to concern its annual badger culling policy, rather than launching a consultation on epi culling.

Political ‘hot potato’

Dominic Dyer, UK policy adviser and wildlife advocate at the Born Free Foundation, said badger culling is a “hot potato” for the Labour Party, if it wins the upcoming general election.

Mr Dyer, an outspoken critic of the culls, does not believe epi culling is the way forward. He urged the government to focus its efforts instead on improving farm biosecurity, testing and vaccination.

Labour has repeatedly stated it wants to stop badger culling and, in an interview with Farmers Weekly in April, shadow Defra secretary Daniel Zeichner reaffirmed his party would end culling if it wins power.

Defra declined to comment on reports of an epi-culling consultation.

A spokesperson said: “Bovine TB is one of the most difficult and intractable animal health challenges the livestock sector in England faces today, causing considerable trauma for farmers and costing taxpayers more than £100m every year.

“We have always been clear that we do not want to continue the current badger cull longer than necessary.”