Badger vaccine deployment project

Ministers have reviewed the Badger Vaccine Deployment Project and decided for the time being to proceed with trapping and vaccinating in one area in Gloucestershire (near Stroud). This will commence in July and continue for five years. Badger sett surveys will also be completed in the other Gloucestershire area, near Cheltenham, as a reserve training area. Badger trapping and vaccination will not take place in the Staffordshire, Herefordshire/Worcestershire and Devon areas as originally planned.

Vaccinating badgers in the Stroud area will help to maintain Fera's capability to vaccinate badgers and to train others to do so. The change to the BVDP reflects both the policy position of the new government, and the need to carefully consider all public spending commitments at the current time. The Government remains committed to developing a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine TB, as part of a package of measures. The Government are looking at vaccination and culling options as part of that package.

For further information please see the Defra press release.

Information for participating landowners

Landowners who registered an interest in participating in the BVDP will have received a letter informing them of these changes. If you registered for the BVDP and have not received a letter clarifying these changes please email

.

Training course

The training in badger trapping and vaccinating will be available this year in the Stroud area. Further details will be posted here in due course. Please email

if you have enquiries regarding training.

Latest news

Vaccination of badgers has now begun in Gloucestershire. The first badgers were trapped, vaccinated and released on 5th July 2010. Since then badgers have been caught at several setts in the project area, and all animals safely and successfully vaccinated. This is the start of a process which will continue throughout the summer and autumn.

This page will be updated in due course. Thank you for your interest in the BVDP.