Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
887. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined whether the practice of badger culling is at variance with the species’ protections under the Wildlife Act 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34815/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBadgers are susceptible to the bovine TB organism, causing disease in badgers, passing disease throughout badger populations and between badgers and cattle. The role of badgers in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in the bovine herd is now incontrovertible.
Ensuring a healthy badger population through the removal of badgers in areas of high levels of TB as well as the vaccination of badgers in areas where it is appropriate to do so, is necessary both for the control of bovine TB and the health of the badger population and rural ecosystem.
Badgers are protected by national legislation and are listed within the Berne Convention. The legislation stipulates that local populations cannot be exterminated and that badger habitats (setts) cannot be destroyed. The capture of badgers is done only under licence, issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.
