Bovine TB: Progress with the trial
Triplet
- Triplet A - Gloucester/ Hereford
- Triplet B - Devon/Cornwall
- Triplet C - East Cornwall
- Triplet D - East Hereford
- Triplet E - North Wiltshire
- Triplet F - West Cornwall
- Triplet G - Staffs/Derbyshire
- Triplet H - Devon/Somerset
- Triplet I - Gloucestershire
- Triplet J - Devon
The Krebs report recommended that the trial should consist of ten triplets and was likely to last for at least five years.
An analysis of trial data entered on the trial data base up to the end of August 2003 indicated that there was an increased risk of bovine TB (bTB) breakdowns occurring in trial areas where reactive culling had taken place, compared to the related survey-only area. This conclusion was statistically valid and had been reached after taking into account factors other than culling (e.g. history of breakdowns in the area, number of herds, herd size etc) which may have an impact on the number of breakdowns in a particular area.
This outcome was consistent across nine of the ten triplets; there had not been any reactive culling in the tenth reactive trial area. The increase was estimated to be 27%. The statistical approach used gives 95 % certainty to the finding that the increase lay between 4% and 53%. It is not acceptable to continue culling operations in these areas when we have scientific evidence that this increases the number of bTB breakdowns and the ISG recommended it be halted. Ministers announced on 4 November 2003 that culling in reactive areas was to stop immediately.
A questions and answers page on the 4 November 2003 announcement is available.
This page will show the statistical data for all ten triplets on which the trial has been based: use the links in the box on the right.
Regarding the progress of the trial, the Government has decided to alter the manner in which it publishes this information. It has done so on the advice of the Police supported by Defra Departmental Security Officials in order to safeguard the security of Defra staff and prevent illegal interference with the trial.
From now and until the completion of the trial, the progress of the trial to date will be up-dated once per year, during the “Closed Season” (February – April) when badgers are not culled for welfare reasons to minimise the risks of dependent cubs being left un-attended under ground.
The information that will be published will be:
- the total number of badgers dispatched in each culling season (for dispatch by Triplet, see the above individual Triplet data tables);
- the total number of non-target species caught, found dead, dispatched or released in each culling season
- any suspected unlawful activity against badgers identified and reported to Police authorities.
When the trial has ended and the Independent
Scientific Group on Cattle TB has assessed all the data and published
their final report on the trial, the Government will re-consider its policy
on publication of data, bearing in mind any future staff security considerations
and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental
Information Regulations 2004
Total number of badgers dispatched in each culling season
| Season | Number |
| 1 Dec 1998 - 31 Jan 1999 | 238 |
| 1 May 1999 - 31 Jan 2000 | 459 |
| 1 May 2000 - 31 Jan 2001 | 2215 |
| 1 May 2001 - 31 Jan 2002 | 0 |
| 1 May 2002 - 31 Jan 2003 | 2697 |
| 1 May 2003 -31 Jan 2004 | 2769 |
| 1 May 2004 - 31 Jan 2005 | 1378 |
| 1 May 2005 - 31 Oct 2005 | 1201 |
Checking of submission forms has shown small difference from the figures previously published, e.g. with a small number of RTA badger carcass submissions or found-dead-on-farms submissions included with the RBCT carcasses. The Trial database is dynamic and other totals might change slightly as further data checks are carried out.
Total number of non-target species caught, found dead, dispatched or released in each culling season
| Season | Caught | Found dead | Dispatched | Released |
| 1 Dec 1998 - 31 Jan 1999 | 84 | 8 | 10 | 66 |
| 1 May 1999 - 31 Jan 2000 | 255 | 3 | 15 | 237 |
| 1 May 2000 - 31 Jan 2001 | 525 | 9 | 17 | 499 |
| 1 May 2001 - 31 Jan 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 May 2002 - 31 Jan 2003 | 557 | 25 | 5 | 527 |
| 1 May 2003 - 31 Jan 2004 | 286 | 11 | 6 | 269 |
| 1 May 2004 - 31 Jan 2005 | 172 | 3 | 3 | 166 |
| 1 May 2005 - 31 Oct 2005 | 220 | 5 | 6 | 209 |
Suspected unlawful activity against badgers identified and reported to police authorities
| Date | Number |
| Feb-02 | 1 |
| Apr-02 | 1 |
| Jan-03 | 1 |
| Apr-03 | 2 |
| Jan-04 | 1 |
| Sep-04 | 1 |
| May-05 | 1 |
Page last modified:
30 January 2006