Link Manager: Zoe Davies, Policy Lead
The Government’s response to the Godfray review of its bovine TB strategy contained positive commitments to increase the focus on cattle and badger vaccination and enhance cattle testing and biosecurity in the next phase of the strategy. We welcomed these signals that culling will not go on indefinitely and were encouraged that much of the government’s response reflects the recommendations made by Link last year.
However, many more badgers will be culled before vaccination is a viable alternative and we are dissatisfied with the government’s indication that culling will always be an option when ‘epidemiological evidence suggests that badgers are involved’. This epidemiological evidence amounts to vague veterinary opinion and is not sound enough evidence on which to base such significant decisions as culling of a protected species.
Last Updated: 5 June 2020
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