New Cymru Government says it will follow the science on bTB, so why is badger culling still being discussed?
The new Cymru Government says it will follow the science on bovine TB, but why is badger culling still being discussed? Badger Trust Cymru calls on ministers to publish the scientific evidence behind any proposed policy change.
The new Cymru Government says it will follow the science on bovine TB, but why is badger culling still being discussed? Badger Trust Cymru calls on ministers to publish the scientific evidence behind any proposed policy change. A month into the new Cymru Government, bovine TB and wildlife control have already emerged as recurring themes in recent Senedd exchanges, with ministers repeatedly pledging to "follow the science" yet continuing to discuss possible future wildlife interventions. Badger Trust is calling on ministers to explain how the continued discussion of badger culling fits with repeated commitments to take a science-led approach to tackling bovine TB. Ministers have not identified any specific evidence showing that badger culling would reduce bovine TB in cattle beyond the progress already being achieved through existing measures in Wales. If Wales is already making progress without culling, ministers should explain what has changed. Plaid Cymru's manifesto committed the party to:"Implementing a new approach to managing bovine TB, one which recognises wildlife as a source of infection and enables scientifically validated control methods. "However, that commitment raises an obvious question. If ministers are considering changing Wales' approach to wildlife, what scientifically validated evidence are they relying on?Nigel Palmer, CEO at Badger Trust:"Ministers are saying they will follow the science repeatedly to the Senedd. That's welcome. But if they're considering a major policy change, the public has a right to know what evidence is driving that discussion. Badger Trust believes that three simple facts should guide the BovineTB debate:The science doesn't support it. The evidence does not demonstrate that badger culling provides a meaningful solution to bovine TB in cattle or would improve on the progress already being made in Wales. Between 2010 and 2024 new herd incidents in Wales declined by over 40% without culling, compared to under 33% in England. Latest data for Wales shows herd incidence between April 2025 and March 2026 was 5. 7, a sharp decrease of 1. 4 from the previous 12 months to its lowest value since December 2006, while herd prevalence fell by 1. 4 percentage points to 4. 7% - its lowest value since January 2017 [1]. During recent Senedd exchanges, no new evidence was put forward to justify changing course. The public don't want it. A recent poll by RSPCA Cymru found significant public opposition to badger culling in Wales. Only 27% of respondents supported badger culling. 46% opposed it outright. 63% said they were uncomfortable with killing badgers, and 68% opposed public money being spent on culling programmes. Will the new government listen to the public's concerns?Wales is already making progress. Wales has pursued its own approach, focusing primarily on cattle measures rather than widespread badger culling. Progress against bovine TB in cattle has been achieved without adopting the large-scale culling programmes seen in England. Nigel Palmer:"We understand the devastating impact bovine TB can have on farming families and rural communities. That is why farmers deserve effective solutions based on evidence, not assumptions. That means continued investment in cattle measures, including testing, biosecurity on and off farm, and improved testing and cattle vaccination. Farmers and wildlife can be protected by following the evidence. ”Wales has already proved that progress against bovine TB is possible without widespread badger culling. We have one initial question to ask the Ministers of the SeneddIf ministers are considering a different approach, please share and explain the scientific evidence you have to support a change in policy directionBadger Trust is the leading authority on Badgers in England and Wales and works through a network of local groups. We are continually looking to develop our clan. So if you believe badgers belong here in Cymru, please join our clanThe science doesn't support it. The public don't wantit. Walesis already making progress. References: