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Gloucestershire badger cull ends
badger
Last year's culls failed on humaneness and effectiveness.

No official figures on the number of badgers culled

Badger cull pilots in Gloucestershire ended yesterday (October 20). Official figures on the number of animals culled, or whether targets have been met, are not yet available.

Licensed shooters were given a target of removing 615 badgers from populations in Gloucestershire. Last year's pilot culls in both Somerset and Gloucestershire failed to meet their target of removing 70 per cent of the badger population, despite being granted extensions.

A Defra spokesperson said: “The minimum numbers for this year’s culls have been set using the best available evidence gathered by local experts and signed-off by Defra’s chief scientist. All aspects of the culls are being independently audited.

"The numbers of badgers removed during the culls will be analysed, quality assured and audited before release. The information on safety and humaneness will also be analysed, quality assured and signed-off by the chief veterinary officer."

A report carried out by an independent expert panel (IEP) last year found the culls to be both ineffective and inhumane.

Badger culling is part of the UK's strategy to eradicate bTB. Defra's spokesperson said: “England has the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe and this is threatening the future of our beef and dairy industries, and our nation’s food security.

"We are pursuing a comprehensive strategy to deal with the disease, supported by leading vets, which includes cattle movement controls, vaccinating badgers in the edge area and culling badgers where TB is rife."

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
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Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk