Badger Trust Calls for Continuation of Wales' Non‑Lethal Bovine TB Strategy

TL;DR: Bovine TB cases in Wales fell 13.6% by the end of 2025 without wildlife culling, prompting the Badger Trust to demand that the next Welsh Government maintain a non‑lethal, cattle‑focused policy.

Context Wales has pursued a science‑led strategy that avoids killing badgers, the wildlife species often blamed for spreading bovine tuberculosis (TB). The approach emphasizes frequent cattle testing, stricter farm biosecurity and alternatives to premature cattle slaughter.

Key Facts - By the close of 2025, the proportion of Welsh cattle herds that were not TB‑free dropped to 5.3%, a 0.4‑percentage‑point improvement over the previous year. - The total number of new herd incidents recorded in 2025 was 567, while early‑slaughter of cattle fell by 27%. - DNA analysis of TB strains shows that 94‑95% of infections move directly between cattle, not via badgers. - Compared with England, which recorded a 5% decline in bovine TB over the same period, Wales achieved a 13.6% reduction without any wildlife culling.

What It Means The data suggest that the primary transmission route for bovine TB in Wales is cattle‑to‑cattle contact. Consequently, interventions that target the national herd—such as more frequent testing, enhanced segregation of positive animals and improved hygiene on farms—are likely to yield the greatest impact. The Badger Trust argues that culling badgers distracts resources from these proven measures and poses unnecessary risk to a protected species.

For farmers, the practical takeaway is to prioritize biosecurity: disinfect vehicles and equipment, manage manure and slurry to prevent environmental contamination, and adopt strict segregation protocols for suspect cattle. The charity also recommends expanding non‑lethal testing options that avoid premature slaughter, thereby preserving animal welfare while controlling disease spread.

Looking ahead, the next Welsh Government will need to balance agricultural productivity with wildlife protection. Monitoring TB incidence trends and the effectiveness of enhanced cattle‑focused measures will be critical to deciding whether the non‑lethal policy remains the optimal path.

*Watch for the upcoming Welsh agricultural policy review, which will outline funding for testing upgrades and set benchmarks for TB reduction in 2026.*