Sunak commits to maintaining badger cull

Rishi Sunak has committed to maintaining the current badger culling program to combat bovine tuberculosis (bTB) if he wins the next election.

The pledge was not in the Conservative manifesto, but speaking to farmers in North Devon, the prime minister said "culls have to be part of the solution" for tackling bTB.

Before the election, the Conservative government was moving towards targeted culling in high-risk areas after a decade-long program in rural England killed over 210,000 badgers and 330,000 cattle.

Mr Sunak said the Conservatives were "the only party at this election" committed to maintaining the cull.

Labour have committed to looking at new ways to tackle the spread of bTB "so that we can end the ineffective badger cull".

The badger cull to control bTB started in Gloucestershire in 2013 and spread to over 70 areas, mainly in the West Midlands.

The number of cattle with bTB going for slaughter in England in 2022-23 was 20,228 - a 24% fall on the previous year and the lowest number since 2008. Wales has seen a 5% decrease over the same period.

The science behind the effectiveness of the cull is contested.

A detailed study found badger culling in 52 areas cut bTB breakdowns in cattle by 56% after four years; while a Journal Veterinary Record study found no significant link between badger culling and a reduction in bTB.

When a farmer involved in the bTB cull asked if he could get a commitment to maintain the current plans, Mr Sunak said: "Yes, of course you can."

Mr Sunak said bTB outbreaks are at their lowest in 20 years and "part of that is because of the success of the badger culls".

He said the government are working on a bTB vaccine for cattle but stressed the need for ongoing culling.

"Culls have to be part of the solution," he said.

"There's no country that I think I know of where they've eliminated TB in cattle without eliminating it in possums or badgers or the equivalent wildlife".

David Bowles, RSPCA's head of public affairs, said: "We're disappointed that the Conservatives want to persist with the inhumane and ineffective badger cull despite a landmark report, published in 2022, confirming our long-held assertion that culling badgers does not prevent bovine TB in cattle.

“We would like the next government to immediately end culling, fast track its proposed improvements to cattle-based measures, along with cattle and badger vaccination, which will be the best solution for badgers, cattle and farmers.”

Last week's manifestos show the leading parties are vying to be seen as the one that truly “gets” the countryside and farming in particular.

Labour promised to "champion" British farmers, the Lib Dems vowed to "stand up" for farming, and the Conservatives pledged to back British farmers, as Mr Rishi Sunak did at the NFU conference.

Parties are tackling key farming issues: food production and sustainability.

Both Conservatives and Lib Dems also promise to raise the farming budget.

The Conservatives propose a £1bn increase over the next Parliament, with yearly inflation adjustments. They say farmers can spend “every extra penny” of this money on boosting food production, not on environmental work.

Meanwhile the Lib Dems have pledged £1bn a year for England's environmental land management, dedicated to sustainable and nature-friendly farming.

Labour has pledged to review the farming budget and simplify payment access if in government.

Both Labour and the Tories say in government at least 50% of public sector procurement funds for food in hospitals, prisons and army bases will go on produce that’s been farmed locally or to higher environmental standards.