Labour pledges to ban badger cull

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said it was 'something the union had been fearing'

Alex Black
clock • 1 min read
Labour pledges to ban badger cull

Labour has pledged to ban the badger cull, with the NFU stating the industry would find it 'hard to come to terms with' the party's stance.

Speaking to the Guardian, Daniel Zeichner,  shadow farming minister, said: "I have spent a long time looking at this. The 2018 Godfrey review, the last piece of work done by the government, found that badger culling is not the answer.

Listen: Farmers Guardian podcast: Labour's Daniel Zeichner answers farmers questions on right to roam

"We are going to make England bovine TB free by 2038, but with a range of measures that do not include culling."

See more: Labour struggling to win rural vote, according to new survey

Responding to news, NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said it was something the union had been fearing and it had been doing everything possible to work with Labour to help them understand the importance of the controlled wildlife programme as an essential part of TB control.

He added the decision would be one that the industry would find it hard to come to terms with.

More on Politics

Farmers reiterate concerns as Holyrood passes Land Reform Bill

Farmers reiterate concerns as Holyrood passes Land Reform Bill

NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said the focus must remain on ‘how land is used, not who owns it’

Alex Black
clock 06 November 2025 • 3 min read
From the editor: Farmers want to get on and farm

From the editor: Farmers want to get on and farm

This week from Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 06 November 2025 • 2 min read
The Farmers Guardian podcast: Autumn Budget one year on - "Gov still says IHT will raise funds for public services but the numbers don't add up"

The Farmers Guardian podcast: Autumn Budget one year on - "Gov still says IHT will raise funds for public services but the numbers don't add up"

This week's guest host Ben Aveling, along with FG's Alex Black and Jane Thynne, discuss IHT one year on from the Budget. Where are we 12 months later?

Farmers Guardian
clock 05 November 2025 • 1 min read