Policy paper

Bovine tuberculosis Godfray evidence review update 2025

An update to the 2018 bovine tuberculosis strategy review led by Professor Sir Charles Godfray.

Applies to England

Documents

Godfray bTB Evidence Review Update 2025

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Details

In 2018, the government commissioned an independent bovine TB strategy review of our strategy for achieving Officially Bovine Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status in England by 2038. The review was led by Professor Sir Charles Godfray supported by a small working group.

In August 2024, the government announced the start of work to co-design a comprehensive new bovine TB strategy for England.

To ensure the new strategy benefits from the latest evidence, in December 2024, Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner asked Professor Godfray for his support in reconvening a panel of experts to independently consider any substantive new evidence.

This latest report is an update to the summary and conclusions of the 2018 review.

The panel received 28 responses to the call for natural and social science evidence. This includes 3 from individuals and 25 from the following organisations:

  • Badger Trust
  • Born Free
  • Global Medical Affairs
  • Humane World for Animals
  • National Beef Association
  • Natural England
  • National Farmers’ Union (NFU)
  • Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
  • Save Me Gatcomb TB Partnership
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (SVMS)
  • University of Nottingham
  • Shepton Farm Vets
  • Synergy Farm Health
  • Veterinary Investigation Services Ltd
  • West Ridge Veterinary Practice
  • Wildlife and Countryside Link

Updates to this page

Published 4 September 2025

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