Despite mounting scientific evidence to the contrary, badgers have long been believed by the farming community to be significant vectors of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), resulting in almost 250,000 badgers being killed since the government-sponsored badger cull began in 2013. Whilst the aim of the cull is ostensibly to reduce bTB in cattle, the science does not back this methodology up nor has there in fact been a significant reduction. Although the current Labour government pledged in its election manifesto to end the cull during this parliamentary period, badger culling continues in some counties (fortunately NOT Surrey) so the end is not yet in sight.
The Badger Trust has been campaigning to end the cull for many years and you can read the latest information about their national campaign here.