Try GOLD - Free
Covid-style focus on tests and vaccines 'could end badger cull'
The Guardian
|September 04, 2025
Labour ministers can end the badger cull if it implements a Covid-style focus on testing and vaccinating, the author of a government-commissioned report has said.
Ministerial plans to stop the shooting of the animals can be achieved, but at a cost to the Treasury, the report warns.
The government promised in its 2024 election manifesto that the shooting of badgers would end by 2029. Badgers are culled to the point of local extinction because they spread bovine tuberculosis (bTB) to cattle, and the disease can wipe out entire herds. The total cost of the disease to taxpayers, including the cattle industry, is estimated at about £150m annually. More than 210,000 badgers have been killed since the cull began in 2013.
However, the current level of investment in testing and vaccinating cattle and badgers is not sufficient for bTB to be suppressed, Sir Charles Godfray, who wrote the report, said.
This story is from the September 04, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
'Christmas belongs to all': C of E rejects Tommy Robinson claims
The Church of England has released a video in response to a Christmas carols event organised by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson today, amid calls from a growing number of senior church figures to challenge Christian nationalism.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
No typing! Can gen X really beat gen Z in our handwriting challenge?
Students could soon be sitting some end of year exams on laptops, it was reported this week, amid complaints from pupils of hand fatigue because their hand muscles \"are not strong enough\".
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
Doctors' strike during flu crisis 'beyond belief' - PM
Keir Starmer has said it is \"frankly beyond belief\" that resident doctors would strike during the NHS's worst moment since the pandemic, in remarks that risk inflaming tensions with medics.
4 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
'Each Leon should be magical' Co-founder returns to revive fast food chain's fortunes
John Vincent is going back to the future.
4 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
EU ‘set to water down 2035 ban on petroleum vehicle sales’
The EU’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is poised to be watered down, a senior European parliament politician has said.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
'A Badenoch bounce' Tories hail more positive mood in party as leader finds her feet
At a Conservative donors event last week, Kemi Badenoch was asked for a selfie by the former Spice Girl Geri Horner.
5 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
All change Timetable revamp faces its toughest crowd - the passengers
Billions of pounds of investment, years of engineering works - and now the moment of truth.
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
How does this flu epidemic compare?
The NHS is bracing for one of its worst winters on record as flu cases surge around the country and put pressure on GP surgeries, hospitals and ambulance services.
2 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
The Turkish cafe that's been named one of London's top restaurants
On a list of London's best restaurants, you would expect to see the usual Michelin-starred suspects such as the Ledbury, Ikoyi and the Ritz.
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
Environment Agency to spend millions clearing waste in Oxfordshire
The Environment Agency is to spend millions of pounds on clearing an enormous illegal rubbish dump in Oxfordshire, saying the waste is at risk of catching fire.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size