Holly Cairns
Question:185. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether a badger cull is intended to go ahead in 2024. [44294/23]
View answerWednesday, 11 October 2023
Questions (185)
Written answers
There are a number of factors which can contribute to an outbreak of bovine TB. There is irrefutable evidence that links badgers to the spread of bovine TB through badger to cattle transmission.
Many other juristictions cull badgers in order to control the spread of TB from badgers to cattle. DAFM, however, acknowledged that this is not a sustainable long term solution to the problem. DAFM funded extensive research into the use of the BCG vaccine to protect badgers against bovine TB. Following positive results DAFM rolled out a badger vaccination programme in 2019. The studies showed that vaccination of badgers is most effective in areas with lower rates of TB prevalence among both badgers and cattle.
This means, however, that some high TB incidence areas remain unsuitable for vaccine. Badger culling will continue in these areas in 2024 as the need arises.