Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Bovine TB

05 March 2020 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Proposed by George Eustice Con Camborne and Redruth

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government will accelerate research for a deployable cattle vaccine to combat bovine TB.
  • The government will begin an exit strategy from intensive badger culling but keep it as a tool where supported by epidemiological evidence.
  • Mandatory surveillance testing frequency for cattle will be increased to reduce the spread of bovine TB.

Issue summary

The minister is updating Parliament on the government's response to an independent review of the strategy to eradicate bovine TB (bTB) in England by 2038.

Action requested

The government will accelerate research towards a deployable cattle vaccine, begin an exit strategy from intensive badger culling while maintaining it as a tool where supported by epidemiological evidence, and increase mandatory surveillance testing frequency. The aim is to reduce bTB spread between cattle and wildlife through vaccination and improved testing.

Key facts

  • Around 30,000 cattle are slaughtered annually due to bTB.
  • Since 2013, badger culling has been rolled out in many parts of the High Risk Area (HRA).
  • As of 2019, 57% of HRA is subject to licensed cull of badgers.
  • Epidemiological analysis shows a significant decrease in bTB incidence in Somerset and Gloucester due to culling.
  • The government aims to pilot badger vaccination in areas that have completed the four-year cull cycle by deploying vaccination to remaining badger populations.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy