To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) how the effectiveness of differing approaches to bovine TB eradication in neighbouring jurisdictions informs his Department's work; and (ii) whether he will pursue a similar strategy as Wales, which does not use badger culls, due to its statistically greater effectiveness since 2012.

As part of the Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) Eradication Strategy developed by my department, the effectiveness of differing approaches to bTB eradication in neighbouring jurisdictions was considered in detail.

My officials meet regularly with colleagues in neighbouring jurisdictions to discuss current issues, research and policy developments relating to bTB. In March 2024, my department hosted the UK TB Liaison Group (TBLG) in Belfast, bringing together bTB officials from across the UK with officials from the Department of Fisheries, Agriculture and the Marine (DAFM) in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) also in attendance. My officials also meet separately with DAFM colleagues twice yearly to discuss bTB matters of mutual interest.

The objective of these meetings is to share information and best practice, and, where appropriate, inform officials’ recommendations to their respective Ministers.

The wildlife intervention element of the department’s bTB Eradiation Strategy was overturned in October 2023 following a judicial review taken by Wild Justice and the Northern Ireland Badger Group. My officials are currently reflecting on the issues and gaps identified by the judicial review ruling in order to provide detailed advice on wildlife options for my consideration.

Consequently, the Department does not have a wildlife intervention policy in place and this area remains policy in development which will require further public consultation.

In relation to the approach in Wales, the Welsh Government is pursuing a badger vaccination policy alongside a range of measures to tackle the spread of the disease between cattle. My officials are currently working to provide me with advice on proposals for a way forward for wildlife intervention, this will include an assessment on the Welsh approach along with the approaches in place in other neighbouring jurisdictions.