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The documentary, presented by Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, will show the results of a four-year experiment to eradicate bTB (bovine TB) on farmer Robert Reed鈥檚 farm, without culling badgers.

鈥楤rian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me鈥� is set to air on Friday 23 August, on BBC Two, BBC Two Wales and BBC iPlayer at 9pm.

NFU Deputy President David Exwood has said 鈥渢he programme is fundamentally flawed鈥�.

We have consistently called for a comprehensive bTB eradication strategy based on clear science and evidence.

鈥淚t鈥檚 down to this strategy that we have achieved a 20-year low in new TB herd breakdowns in England,鈥� David added.

What does the science say?

It is accepted that , making badger control a key part of the bTB eradication strategy within England.

A recent also concluded that, on average, a 56% reduction in herd incidence is achieved in the fourth year of culling. The removal of individuals from an infected wildlife population (culling) to reduce TB transmission rates in both wildlife and cattle is a recognised pillar of bTB eradication strategies across the globe.

The involved assessing the effects of industry-led badger culling on the incidence of bTB in cattle in England from 2013 to 2017. The study compared the rate of new bTB breakdowns in the cull areas to rates in areas with no culling.

The results showed reductions in bTB incidence rates after four years of culling. In Gloucestershire, there was a 66% reduction, and in Somerset, there was a 37% reduction. The report also showed that there was no evidence of increases in TB incidence rates in buffer areas (perturbation effect) over four years.

罢丑别听 also highlights badger control as 鈥榓n important option to help in controlling disease鈥�; within , the success of this policy is confirmed, quoting the .

The Godfray report was based on the Randomised Badger Culling Trial which took place from 1998 to 2007 and identified four key areas to ensure that badger culls are safe, humane, and effective. Over time, the criteria for control areas have been adjusted based on evidence provided by the Independent Science Group.

Slurry spread risk

, Sir Brian claimed the main cause of TB infection in cattle is slurry.

However, (Animal & Plant Health Agency), published in 2022, determined the possibility that bTB is spread through cattle faeces as very low.

of genetic data from the bacteria that causes bTB also found that cattle are approximately ten times more likely to catch TB from badgers than badgers are to catch it from cattle. Disease transmission within badger and cattle populations occurs twice as frequently as transmission between the species.

鈥淭he evidence from one farm that Sir Brian May is relying on has had no such scrutiny,鈥� the NFU鈥檚 Deputy President continued.

鈥淭he case study farm used to evidence May鈥檚 theory has unfortunately since suffered further bTB breakdowns. This isn鈥檛 mentioned in the documentary.

鈥淭he same programme also refutes years of evidence on the link between badgers, cattle and the spread of TB.

鈥淲hile both badger and cattle vaccination trials are underway, we must keep all of the tools that have been proven to work at scale available and apply them where needed. For those farmers who continue to be affected, access to these tools is a vital source of hope that they can break the heartbreaking cycle of reinfection.

鈥淲e will continue to work with government and our members to ensure a successful strategy which is based on the science.鈥�

鈥榃e must keep all elements working鈥�

NFU Livestock Board chair David Barton who has previously battled with bTB on his farm, said watching his stock bull Ernie, two heifers and a cow being culled was one of the worst days of his farming life.

He said: 鈥淭hose were extremely dark days. We were trapped in a cycle of TB infection with my beef herd and the badgers living in the surrounding fields. We have always maintained high biosecurity and regular cattle testing, but it was only with the introduction of wildlife controls that things started slowly to improve.

"We have been able to address the infection to my cattle from badgers and this has led us to being TB free now for over four years. The relief is huge.

"I鈥檓 not alone with this experience. In the past decade we have seen a drop in TB in cattle, from 33,239 cattle slaughtered as TB reactors to 20,243 in 2023. While even 20,000 cattle is 20,000 too many, this is a significant drop and means we are the lowest number of TB reactors slaughtered in 20 years. This tells me the current TB eradication strategy is having positive impact and why we must keep all of the elements working.

鈥淭o be able to stop the continual cycle of reinfection from wildlife has given us hope and we have been able to improve our suckler herd breeding programme, making it more efficient and sustainable.

鈥淐attle testing, biosecurity, badger vaccine and badger controls all play an important role in tackling this dreadful disease where infection levels are persistent and high. The fact my farm鈥檚 four years free from this disease is a clear indication we are doing the right thing, and why we must continue to do the right thing.鈥�

Get support

We understand members may be concerned about the contents of the BBC鈥檚 upcoming documentary.

We have pulled together a range of guidance on the latest science and evidence around bTB and vaccination, shareable graphics on the facts around bTB, and a lobbying toolkit to help support conversations with your MP.

皇家华人has a dedicated TB delivery team of advisers who can offer support. Members can contact CallFirst on 0370 845 8458听to be put in touch with the TB delivery team or to speak with one of our expert legal and technical advisers.