TB cattle vaccine set for rollout by 2030 in England

A refreshed strategy to tackle bovine TB in England sets an ambition to roll out cattle vaccination by 2030, as part of a plan to achieve disease-free status by 2038.

The recommendations, developed by a co-design partnership of more than 100 farmers, vets, scientists and government, put cattle firmly at the centre of disease control.

Evidence from recent studies suggests around 16 out of every 17 infections are spread between cattle, largely driven by undetected disease and livestock movements.

See also: Bovine TB strategy must progress quicker, Defra told

At the heart of the proposed new Bovine TB Control Strategy for England is a BCG vaccine paired with a Diva (differentiate infected from vaccinated animals) test, which would allow cattle to be vaccinated while still being able to remove truly infected animals.

An application for the vaccine has already been submitted to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, while international recognition – including by the World Organisation for Animal Health – will be needed to safeguard trade.

‘Game changer’

Speaking during a press briefing in London this week, TB expert Professor James Wood of the University of Cambridge described cattle vaccination as “a really exciting element” and “a game changer in the new strategy”.

He pointed to studies in Ethiopia showing “a 74% reduction in [disease] transmission” between cattle.

Field trials of the vaccine and Diva test in England and Wales, led by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, are due to conclude this summer.

The strategy calls for the rapid establishment of an industry-wide board, with one of its first responsibilities being to develop a delivery plan.

Alongside vaccination, the plan calls for expanded use of more sensitive testing, including gamma blood testing and farmer-led ancillary tests.

This aims to detect hidden infection in cattle herds and reduce recurrent breakdowns, as well cut the risk of farmers inadvertently trading infected cattle.

Farmers would also gain access to herd-level TB risk scores and improved digital data to inform trading and management decisions at individual farm level.

The proposals also set out a transition from widespread badger culling towards targeted badger vaccination, with more than 4,000 badgers vaccinated in 2025 and further expansion planned alongside enhanced wildlife surveillance.

The strategy does not rule out the future use of lethal badger control, but proposes a framework to guide decisions on when it may be used as a disease management tool.

Professor Rosie Woodroffe of the London Institute of Zoology said badger culling “had probably had some quite substantial benefits for farmers”.

But she urged the industry to focus on delivering a future strategy “which will keep it that way”.

She added that farmers involved in Cornwall badger vaccination projects “have been incredibly positive about it”, reflecting growing confidence in vaccination as she helps lead that work.

£100m annual cost  

Despite herd prevalence falling from 6.4% in 2018 to 3.5% in 2025, the lowest in 20 years, TB remains a significant challenge, with more than 20,500 infected cattle slaughtered in England last year at a cost exceeding £100m.

The strategy warns that “doing more of the same will not be enough” and calls for a “step change in pace”.

Defra deputy chief veterinary officer Dr Ele Brown said: “I really believe this strategy aims to deliver that step change to really maintain progress to 2038.”

Defra welcomed the work of the partnership and said it would now consider the recommendations before setting out its next steps.