51AVÊÓÆµ

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes badger cull pledge while on General Election trail at Devon farm

The Prime Minister said the Conservatives had been the only party to make a commitment to continue badger culling

clock • 2 min read
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes badger cull pledge while on General Election trail at Devon farm

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to keep the badger cull while on a General Election campaign trail at a farm in Devon.

During a question and answer session on farm in Devon which Farmers Guardian was invited to, Mr Sunak confirmed his party would commit to continuing the badger cull.

When pressed by a farmer about the need for the cull to continue, an issue highlighted recently by the Labour Party's pledge to end the cull in its General Election manifesto, Mr Sunak emphatically agreed to the commitment.

WATCH NOW:

READ NOW: EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - "We're sticking to our plan to back Britain's farmers"

"Yes of course," he added.

"I have seen first hand the absolute devastation TB has on farm businesses.

"I grew up in a small family business and it was our life.

"When something happens to that business, it affects you not just financially but emotionally and psychologically.

"I am pleased we are making progress.

"The outbreaks this year have been the lowest in 20 years.

"Part of that is because of the success of badger culls which have brought incidence rates down by 50 per cent.

"That plan is working and I can give you that commitment.

"I do believe in the science and a vaccine is good but it will take time.

"This means culls need to be part of the solution.

"I can give you that reassurance and we are the only party that can give you that commitment."

READ NOW: Rishi Sunak named the 'countryside candidate' at the next General Election by veterinary MP

WATER ABSTRACTION LICENCES FOR SALE

£±Ê°¿´¡

Outdoor Beef Finishing Coral System, available

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Politics

Letters: "This shows there is now more adaptability from the Government in trying to meet the evolving needs of the farming industry"

Letters: "This shows there is now more adaptability from the Government in trying to meet the evolving needs of the farming industry"

Ian Cure, VetPartners farm director, discusses the recently announced extension to funding which offers farmers a free, Government funded vet visit for each herd or flock

clock 01 July 2025 • 2 min read
'Missed opportunity' to embed core standards on food entering the UK

'Missed opportunity' to embed core standards on food entering the UK

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said detail is still 'lacking' on how Government will tackle the problem of lower welfare farming imports from entering the UK's food supply chain system

clock 01 July 2025 • 3 min read
Seven US states announce ban on lab-grown meat production

Seven US states announce ban on lab-grown meat production

Texas has recently announced it will ban lab-grown meat production and sales on September 1 2025 to join a growing number of states calling for an end to cultured meat production

clock 01 July 2025 • 2 min read