Badger vaccination grant window extended

The window to apply for a grant to support privately delivered badger vaccination projects in Wales has been extended.

The Badger Vaccination Grant provides farmers, landowners and others who wish to vaccinate badgers against bovine TB with the opportunity to benefit from financial support covering up to 50% of their costs.

The grant, which will run until 2019, will apply to privately delivered vaccination projects outside the north Pembrokeshire Intensive Action Area (IAA). The vaccination project in the IAA – now in its second year – will continue to be delivered and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The first window of applications runs until 13 December and farmers whose bids are successful can begin vaccinating by May 2014.

Applications received between 13 December and 28 February 2014, during the second window, will be considered in March 2014. The £1.25m vaccination programme will be delivered over five years.

Welsh farm minister Alun Davies said: “I am delighted by the high level of interest we have had so far in the grant. Because of this, we are extending the application window until 28 February 2014 to give potential applicants an extra 11 weeks to apply.

“I recognise that the eradication of TB requires a long-term approach that includes a number of different measures and relies upon the support and co-operation of Welsh farmers and landowners.

“I would encourage anybody interested in privately vaccinating badgers on their land to take advantage of this grant, which I see as another step towards our ultimate goal of a TB-free Wales.”

To find out more about the grant visit the Welsh government website

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