What is the current situation?

• Rapid outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in Great Britain
• 14.3% cattle infected in Southwest Britain
• 6.4% cattle infected on average for rest of country
• All bTB-positive cows MUST be culled (euthanized for disease eradication)
  • Due to potential risk to humans
  • To prevent infectious spread to other cattle
• Major losses to producers that need to cull livestock herds
• Taxpayers -> $$
• British government implements policies to cull badgers

Why cull badgers?

• Badgers deemed significant wildlife vector for bTB transmission to cattle

Why is it so controversial?

• Badgers not only bTB source
• Scientific reports question effectiveness of current badger culls to stamp out bTB
• Negative welfare implications to badgers from method of cull

Read on to find out more about badger culling in the UK…