DEFRA chiefs have confirmed plans to stop licensing of new intensive badger culls after 2022, despite helping to reduce bTB rates..
Existing cull licenses could be cut short after two years, instead of running for five years, where there is sufficient scientific evidence to support.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said it was “disappointing and frustrating” to see the Government pressing ahead with proposals to abandon badger culling.
NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts said: “This disease continues to have a devastating impact on farming families across the country, causing them huge emotional, mental and financial strain.
“In recent years, they have started to see some light at the end of a very dark tunnel but this announcement will drive a coach and horses through this positive hope.”
More than 27,000 cattle in England were slaughtered to tackle the disease, according to the Government.
The Government said it would develop a monitoring system to track the badger population and disease levels to help tackle the disease.
Last year the DEFRA announced that bTB cattle vaccination trials in England and Wales had been given the green light as a result of new research.
The trials are expected to start in June and if successful, the project will remain on track to enable the deployment of a cattle bTB vaccine by 2025.