CLA responds to Government's plan to end badger cull with new TB eradication strategy

The option of culling must remain on the table, the CLA has argued as the government launches its new bovine TB eradication strategy.

Over the past decade, TB has had a devastating impact on livestock and farmers. Around 280,000 cattle have been compulsorily slaughtered, costing taxpayers more than £100 million every year.

The new Labour government has now launched a new bovine TB eradication strategy working with farmers, vets, scientists and conservationists - the first in more than a decade. It aims to use a data-led and scientific approach to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament.

Responding, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:

“Scientific evidence shows that badger culling is an effective means of controlling bTB. Livestock farmers have to protect the health of their cattle and any alternative to culling has to be proven before the government begins phasing out the existing means of control.

“The disease poses a significant threat to the livestock industry, with more than 20,000 cattle slaughtered in 2023, costing the taxpayer over £100 million a year. With the help of the culls the statistics show an improving picture, but this hard-fought progress cannot be put in jeopardy.

“Effective control of bTB and realisation of the government’s ambition to eradicate it requires every effective tool, including culling, to be on the table.”