Badger cull winding down, says Defra secretary

The badger cull will end by the close of this season, Defra secretary Angela Eagle confirmed in parliament, marking the clearest signal yet that the Labour government is moving away from lethal wildlife control in its bovine TB strategy for England.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on 13 October, triggered by Protect the Wild’s e-petition signed by more than 102,000 people, Dame Angela said:

“The badger cull is ending. The 2025 season is now nearly over, and this is the final year of industry-led culling in England’s high-risk and edge areas.”

See also: Bovine TB: 2038 eradication goal achievable with bold action

She confirmed no new licences will be issued, and by the end of the season, only one licensed cull will remain – understood to be a “hotspot” in a low-risk area in Cumbria. 

“At its height, there were 73 cull licences operating up and down the country. This season, there are 21 and by the end of this season, there will only be one remaining licensed cull,” she said.

“Then there’ll be an analysis of it to see how effective it’s been scientifically. And there’ll be a decision made then about whether to continue with that final licence or not.”

Labour is developing a refreshed bovine TB eradication policy for England, informed by the updated Godfray review and input from the existing TB partnership steering group, which includes several expert working groups.

“The plan is to present a new strategy next year,” Dame Angela added.

“In doing so, we will deliver a step change that reflects the best available evidence, the lived experience of those affected and a shared commitment for England to be free of bovine TB by 2038.”

Dame Angela Eagle at the badger cull debate © Parliament TV

The new approach will centre on cattle testing, movement controls, improved on-farm biosecurity, and a major scale-up of badger vaccination.

More than 4,000 badgers were vaccinated this year, with a new field force due to expand efforts in 2026.

She also confirmed that field trials of the BCG cattle vaccine and the “Diva” diagnostic test are ongoing, with hopes of deployment in the next few years once approved.

Dame Angela acknowledged the toll on farmers, noting that over 21,000 cattle were culled last year in England due to TB – a loss bringing “real financial jeopardy and mental strain.”

‘High-stakes gamble’ – Hudson

Conservative MP and vet Dr Neil Hudson accused Labour of taking a “high-stakes gamble” by ending culling before other proven tools are ready, warning the government could undo progress made since 2014.

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron also urged a “transparent, science-led evaluation” of all TB control measures to ensure they are effective, humane and sustainable.

However, several Labour MPs called on ministers to stick to their manifesto pledge and phase out culling as quickly as possible.

High-profile anti-cull campaigners, including Dominic Dyer and Tom Langton, watched the debate from the public gallery.