Badger vaccinations begin in Somerset

A vaccination programme to protect badgers against bovine tuberculosis is under way in a county earmarked for a proposed pilot badger cull trial this autumn.


The four-year project in Somerset is part of a nationwide initiative by badger groups to offer vaccination opportunities to farmers and landowners.


Details of the project were announced by the Badger Trust just days before its appeal hearing is heard in the Court of Appeal against the High Court’s decision to allow a pilot badger cull in England.


Adrian Coward, chairman of Somerset Badger Group (SBG), said group members would be working alongside farmers to vaccinate badgers in a bid to provide evidence that this method is a better way to combat bovine TB than culling.


“We want to take advantage of the recently licensed vaccine to help constructively with the battle against bovine TB,” he added.


“During field trials the vaccine has been proved to be effective in at least 74% of badgers vaccinated. It is the modern, scientific way to conquer the disease and, unlike culling, does not carry the risk of causing infection to spread.”


“During field trials the vaccine has been proved to be effective in at least 74% of badgers vaccinated. It is the modern, scientific way to conquer the disease and, unlike culling, does not carry the risk of causing infection to spread.”
Adrian Coward, Somerset Badger Group

To vaccinate badgers, licensed members and volunteers first place peanuts in open cage traps for several nights to familiarise the badgers with the traps before setting the catches, which close the traps as badgers enter.


Within hours, at first light, the trapped badgers are given a health and condition check, vaccinated, marked and released without harm.


Farms will be revisited at regular intervals to increase the proportion of badgers vaccinated.


SBG is carrying out the work in association with Secret World Wildlife Rescue of Highbridge, Somerset, supported by the Badger Trust and Network for Animals.


Vaccination by licensed members of badger groups began last autumn, co-ordinated by trust director Simon Boulter.


Specially-trained leaders and volunteers established procedures in the field monitored and approved by senior DEFRA veterinary staff.


Badger group members have already vaccinated badgers on farms in Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Devon, Cornwall, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.


The Badger Trust has warned that perturbation – a social fracturing among badgers that leads to an increase in bovine TB outside the affected area – is likely to follow the proposed “free shooting” of badgers.


The government’s planned badger cull is on hold pending the outcome of the Badger Trust’s appeal hearing on 11 September.


More on this topic


Read the latest news on bovine TB here.


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