The Bern Convention challenges the UK’s badger cull policy as over 240,000 badgers are killed. Will Britain protect its wildlife or break its promises?
The Labour Government has again been called to account regarding its ongoing badger cull policy by the Bern Convention.
In June, the UK Government returned to the Bern Convention to defend its plans to continue the contentious badger culling policy, which has already led to the killing of over 240,000 badgers and is set to target thousands more in 2025.
The Bern Convention is an international treaty designed to conserve and protect Nature and wildlife. As a signatory, the UK is expected to adhere to its principles.
Badger Trust, Born Free, and Eurogroup for Animals have submitted further evidence to the Convention. This evidence highlights the ongoing inadequacy of the population census of badgers, a failure which risks localised extinction.
Although the Labour Government has acknowledged that culling is not a practical solution to Bovine TB in cattle, it is permitting intensive and supplementary culls to continue until at least January 2026.
The BERN Committee has asked that the government explain why the cessation of licenses cannot occur sooner.
In a strongly worded statement, the Committee also asked for details on the methodologies used in culling. It sought information on other elements of the bTB strategy, such as vaccination programmes for badgers and cattle.
The Committee noted the government’s stated intention that no intensive or supplementary badger control licences will remain in effect after January 2026. However, it has asked for clarification to ensure that both types of licences will expire in January 2026, regardless of their issue date.
