England targets TB-free status by 2038 with cattle and badger vaccines

SHOTS Desk · 35m ago · Reported

The government has formally adopted a long-term strategy to eradicate bovine TB from England by 2038, Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman announced on 5 June 2026.

The share of herds losing TB-free status fell by a fifth over the past year, from 4.2% to 3.4%. No badgers were culled in 2026, the first year without a cull in more than a decade, fulfilling a manifesto pledge.

The strategy includes cattle vaccination, with a target deployment date of 2030, alongside a new skin test to distinguish vaccinated from infected animals. It also covers mandatory blood testing, expanded badger vaccination through a newly contracted Badger Vaccination Field Force, and a government-funded scheme to test found-dead badgers.

A new industry-government board is expected to replace the existing Bovine TB Partnership for England in 2027 and will oversee delivery of the strategy.

Some 20,244 cattle were removed for TB control in the 12 months to June 2026, down 4% from 21,126 the previous year, accordi

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England targets TB-free status by 2038 with cattle and badger vaccines · SHOTS