Bovine Tuberculosis (TB)

The Bigger Picture
At Lower Blakemere Farm, as with many farms across the UK, bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent and serious issue. It not only threatens the health of our cattle but also our livelihood. Our cattle live alongside badgers, and we have a 250-year-old, large and healthy badger sett right in the middle of the farm. We have not supported the badger cull on our land because we believe only diseased setts should be removed, rather than indiscriminately targeting all setts within a geographical area.

Our last TB outbreak in the cattle was over eight years ago, but we constantly live with the threat. It’s important to understand that when a cow is slaughtered due to “TB,” it doesn’t necessarily mean she has the disease; it often means she has been exposed to it. The test they undergo every few months is a skin test and, while essential, it is not infallible.

When a cow tests positive, we face immediate movement restrictions and the painful reality of culling animals. The financial loss is immense, but the emotional toll is even greater. What is often overlooked is that TB not only harms cattle but also causes suffering among badgers. Yet, despite this, the badger population remains unmanaged.

Managing TB: The Complex Reality
While we regularly test our cattle and maintain strict biosecurity measures, TB remains a constant threat. Badgers, known carriers of Mycobacterium bovis, play a significant role in spreading the disease to cattle, yet their populations have not been adequately controlled. This mismanagement results in the unnecessary culling of thousands of cattle each year, while badgers continue to suffer from TB, perpetuating the cycle.

Badger Management
Badger families follow a matriarchal structure, with each sett exporting young males and driving out diseased individuals. This poses a serious risk, as TB-infected badgers roam the countryside, and when they enter our land, they bring the threat with them. Bovine TB is not highly contagious—it requires close contact—making it unfortunate that badgers and cattle often share the same areas.

Badger management should be part of a broader discussion about managing the countryside. Badgers not only contribute to the spread of TB among cattle but also negatively impact other wildlife. Hedgehogs and ground-nesting birds, particularly Curlews in our case, have seen significant declines, partly due to badger predation. The countryside is not a wild, untouchable playground—it is a living landscape that requires careful management, and humans play a key role in that process. We have a responsibility to maintain balance, and that includes managing badger populations where necessary to protect both wildlife and livestock.

It’s worth mentioning that if we were discussing a less charismatic animal—like rats, which carry diseases and pose a threat to human health—there would be no hesitation in controlling their numbers. It’s easy to take a stand when you’re not directly affected by the consequences of TB, but for us, this issue is about more than just one species—it’s about the entire ecosystem, our cattle, our livelihoods, and ensuring the countryside remains healthy and balanced. Since badgers were protected in 1996, their population has more than doubled, and they have no natural predators, aside from cars and TB.

A Balanced Approach
Brian May and his Save Me Trust have been vocal in opposing badger culling, advocating for badger vaccination instead. While we respect their passion for wildlife, it’s frustrating when campaigns fail to acknowledge the broader implications of TB on farms like ours. We’re not opposed to vaccination if it proves effective, but the elephant in the room is that the badger population is completely out of control. We must manage badger numbers and establish a legal and sustainable framework to do so.

At Lower Blakemere Farm, we believe in a balanced approach that protects all aspects of the countryside—cattle, wildlife, and the environment. Proper management, which sometimes includes difficult decisions, is essential to maintaining that balance. Badgers, like other animals, must be managed responsibly to prevent suffering from TB and to protect other species and farms.

Bovine TB is a devastating disease that affects not only cattle but also badgers. It’s madness to let badger populations go unmanaged while thousands of cattle are culled each year. The countryside is not a wild playground; it requires careful management, and humans are an integral part of that. We must take responsibility for ensuring a balanced ecosystem. It’s easy to campaign for something as charismatic as badgers, but would the same energy exist if the problem were rats spreading disease in our homes? The reality is complex, and we need practical, effective solutions—not just single-issue campaigns.