WELCOME TO CHESHIRE BADGER VACCINATION PROGRAMME!

(We say CBVP for short!)

Our mission is to deliver an effective and viable solution in preventing the transfer of Bovine TB between cattle and badgers IN CHESHIRE.

How we achieve this:

  • By vaccinating a defined badger population against bTB, for a minimum of 4 consecutive years.

  • Trapping and vaccinating a substantial population in a defined area so that ‘herd immunity’ is achieved.

  • A reduction in the prevalence and severity of disease in the badger population will reduce the potential for transmission of TB from badgers to cattle.

  • Protect a badger population in Cheshire, in order that post cull, the badgers can re-populate.

 

CBVP IS NOW OFFERING BADGER VACCINATION TO FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS IN CHESHIRE, FREE OF CHARGE.

Professionally trained vaccinators are preparing to help Cheshire Farmers, Cattle and Wildlife in the battle against Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB).

The Cheshire Badger Vaccination Programme (CBVP) has been set up by local people who have been trained and mentored by the well-established and highly regarded Derbyshire Vaccination Programme and DEFRA-funded Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) in the trapping, vaccination and release of badgers.

CBVP said, “Not all farmers and landowners realise that vaccination is an alternative to culling and farmers in a cull zone are not obliged to join in the cull.”

The pros and cons of vaccination versus culling badgers:

 
Vaccination… Culling…
Creates TB free and TB resistant populations of badgers and therefore has long lasting effects and benefits Reduces the badger population in the cull zone, for the duration of the cull and has no long term effect on the incidence of TB in the local badger population
Does not upset sett dynamics and therefore there is a stable population of badgers Culling disrupts badger social structure, causing them to move around more frequently and over longer distances (known as perturbation) and may result in increased disease transmission (to other badgers and to cattle)
Derbyshire Badger Vaccination Programme estimate the cost of vaccinating badgers at £82 per badger The government spent £6.6m on culling last year, and the total cost to date is estimated at about £40m – thought to equal about £1,000 for each animal killed.
Is acceptable to the public Is not supported by the public
 
 

What does vaccination of badgers involve?

Process of pre-baiting, trap placement and vaccination

  • Meet with farmer/ landowner to discuss badger vaccination and gain agreement for vaccination on their land

  • A signed landowner agreement for vaccination on their land is obtained

  • Badger setts are surveyed for activity and runs, latrines are mapped

  • A date is agreed for vaccination with landowner/farmer

  • On first day, pre-baiting starts. Placing peanuts under stones around setts to encourage the badgers to eat the bait. It is noted where the bait is taken, and the process repeated every evening for 4-5 nights.

  • Traps are placed at points where bait has been taken but wired open and peanuts put further into the trap on each consecutive night.

  • Traps are live on day 9 & 10. Vaccinators check traps at first light and any badgers caught are vaccinated and stock sprayed for identification. The process is repeated for 2 nights and any badgers caught, that are stock sprayed are released without vaccination (as already done). If there are any badgers in traps that have not been vaccinated after 3 hours post first light, they are released, so as not to distress them.