DEFRA reports increase in badger TB vaccinations
18th June 2025
DEFRA has announced that badger TB vaccinations increased to a record high across the country in 2024.
A total of 4,110 badgers were vaccinated against bTB in England last year, which marks an increase of over 1,000, or 24%, from 2023.
The government is accelerating the badger vaccination rollout further with the launch of a new Badger Vaccinator Field Force next year, which it says will increase badger vaccination at pace to drive down TB rates.
In addition, projects supporting farmers to carry out badger vaccinations themselves are set to launch later this year, with a revolutionary new programme working with the NFU and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in Cornwall.
‘One of most difficult and prolonged animal disease challenges’
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “We have always pushed for a comprehensive TB eradication strategy which is based on sound science and evidence, and many farmers will be relieved to hear the chief veterinary officer confirm that wildlife control will continue to be an option in those areas where alternative controls, such as vaccination, are not yet a viable option.
“Even with the reductions in breakdowns in herds over recent years, TB continues to devastate thousands of farming families across the country. It’s important we continue to utilise all the tools available to manage this terrible disease while also pressing ahead with more practical research on alternative control measures.”
DEFRA said the government plans to end the badger cull through a range of measures to control bovine TB, including a wider rollout of the badger vaccine and trials of a cattle vaccine.
Latest figures show a reduction in the number of badgers culled over the past year as vaccinations increase. The number of badgers culled in England in 2024 fell by 12% compared to 2023 and is now less than half the number culled at the peak of the policy, the department confirmed.
Bovine TB remains one of the most difficult and intractable animal health challenges faced by the livestock sector in England today.
Over 278,000 cattle have been compulsorily slaughtered, and over 230,000 badgers have been killed in efforts to control the disease.
Chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: “Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult and prolonged animal disease challenges we face, causing devastation for farming communities.
“The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work, as vaccinations continue to increase and we remain committed to taking a data-led and scientific approach as we transition to fully adopting non-lethal control methods for managing this insidious disease.”
READ MORE: Targeted badger culling will continue in high-risk areas
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