Does the end of culling licences mark a permanent reprieve for England’s badgers?
UK government commits to issuing no more intensive or supplementary licences, but doubts remain over a total end to the cull.
(c) Richard Hurrell
The end of January 2026 represents a milestone for England’s badgers. As of now, the government has committed not to issue any further intensive or supplementary culling licences, bringing to an end a policy that, since 2013, has seen more than a quarter of a million badgers slaughtered in a deeply flawed attempt to reduce the spread of bovine TB in cattle.
The move signals a growing recognition that killing badgers has failed to deliver the promised disease-control benefits. Scientific reviews and long-term data have repeatedly raised doubts about the effectiveness of widespread culling, while concerns about ecological disruption and animal welfare have only intensified. The Labour party itself labelled badger culling as ‘ineffective’ in its 2024 election manifesto.
However, a badger cull is still ongoing in Cumbria, and its continuation casts a long shadow over claims that the policy has truly been consigned to the past. The continuation of the Cumbria licence casts doubt over the government’s stated commitment to transition away from lethal badger control, and risks prolonging harm with no clear demonstrable benefit.
There are also concerns about what may happen in the future. While no new intensive or supplementary cull licences will be issued for now, the door remains open for culling to be reintroduced under different guises or in response to political pressure, and the proposed expansion of badger vaccination keeps the spotlight on badgers as a problem that needs to be dealt with, even though the credible evidence says otherwise. Without a clear, legally binding commitment to end badger culling altogether, uncertainty remains for both wildlife and those working to protect it.
There is also the spectre of badger controls being introduced in Northern Ireland, and calls among some for culls in Wales, in spite of the abject failure of the policy that has been pursued in England.
Commenting on the situation, Born Free’s Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones said: “The ending of most badger culling licences marks a welcome and long-overdue moment. But for it to represent a genuine turning point, the remaining cull must be brought to a close and the government must firmly commit to non-lethal, science-led solutions for the long term. Over the past 13 years we have witnessed an unprecedented and disastrous assault on our national badger population, with no clear evidence for any disease control benefit. This must never be allowed to happen again.”
Born Free has consistently campaigned for evidence-led, ethical and humane bovine TB control policy that focuses on cattle-based measures.
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