Govt vows to end badger cull in next five years

The government is pledging to end the culling of badgers within the next five years.

The controversial practice has seen more than 230,000 badgers killed in the past decade in a bid to reduce the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

More than 278,000 cattle have been killed to try and control the disease in the same period.

Instead of culling the striped mammals, Labour wants to implement a vaccination strategy to protect both cows and badgers.

This will include introducing a new "badger vaccinator field force", as well as a survey of the badger population and TB infection rates.

The plan is to end the cull by the end of the current parliament - which expires in summer 2029.

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Minister for food security and rural affairs Daniel Zeichner said: "Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long.

"It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations.

"No more. Our comprehensive TB eradication package will allow us to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament and stop the spread of this horrific disease."

Campaigners like Queen guitarist Brian May have long campaigned for an end to the cull, while some farmers have argued to increase it to protect livestock from tuberculosis.