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Lawyers write to Defra over ‘unlawful’ badger cull consultation
Defra is considering its response to the letter.
Concerns raised about omissions in consultation materials.

The government’s current consultation on its bovine tuberculosis (bTB) policy may be unlawful, according to lawyers representing two animal welfare organisations.

The consultation was launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 14 March, and sets out proposals for the next phase of England’s bTB eradication strategy.

The proposals include retaining badger culling as an option in targeted parts of the High-Risk and Edge Area where there are high levels of infection in cattle and evidence suggesting badgers are contributing to the spread of the disease to herds

Solicitors acting on behalf of Badger Trust and Wild Justice have sent a letter to Defra, which the organisations have made public, stating that there are significant omissions in the consultation materials provided.

The material they say is missing includes the business case for the government’s preferred option, information on the expected effectiveness of the preferred option in comparison to other potential approaches, and information on the humaneness of the options considered.

The letter urges the government to publish the ommitted material and allow those taking part in the consultation time to respond. If these steps are not taken, the letter states that the ‘consultation would be unlawful’.

Last year, Northern Ireland’s 2021 consultation on bTB measures was found to be unlawful by the High Court in Belfast because it had failed to provide sufficient information to consultees.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We have received a letter from lawyers representing Wild Justice and the Badger Trust, we are considering this and will respond in due course.”

The government aims to eradicate bTB in England by 2038. The number of bTB breakdowns recently fell to the lowest number in nearly twenty years.

When the consultation was launched, Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “The proposals set out today will ensure this downward trend continues, and all culling decisions taken under the new targeted approach will continue to be led by the very best scientific and epidemiological evidence.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.