A VACCINE rollout scheme has been described as a “positive step” towards ending the badger cull.

Badgers are currently being killed to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) among cattle.

However, a vaccine scheme is in development and East Sussex will the first place where it is used.

Conservative MP for Lewes, Maria Caulfield, said: “It’s really exciting to see that East Sussex has been chosen for this pilot scheme.

“I know that many local residents are not supportive of badger culling to combat bovine tuberculosis”.

The effectiveness of culling to stop the transmission of the infectious disease has been disputed.

The National Farmers Union supports culling, believing that it is the best way to control BTB, whereas wildlife trusts and animal rights activists argue that it is ineffective.

Some believe that BTB mainly spread through cattle to cattle transmission.

Jess Price, conservation officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: “The Sussex Wildlife Trust is really pleased to hear the government’s announcement that a farmer-led badger vaccination pilot programme will be happening in East Sussex, this is a positive step towards controlling the devastating disease of BTB.

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“As livestock owners ourselves, we understand the great hardship that bovine BTB causes the farming community, but we do not believe that culling badgers is an effective way of halting its spread.

“A move to more widespread badger vaccination is progress, but BTB is primarily a cattle disease spread by cattle.

“Cattle to cattle transmission is the major cause of infection and spread of bovine BTB and therefore accelerated research into cattle vaccination and improved testing regimes for cattle are urgently needed, along with improved movement controls.

In 2013, the government started issuing licences for people to kill badgers.

Despite the announcement of the vaccine scheme, the culling of badgers will continue until 2026, when the last licences expire.

Ms Price added: “We are disappointed that culling will continue in other parts of the country for the next four years, putting 130,000 badgers at risk of being shot.

“The Sussex Wildlife Trust want to see an immediate end to the badger cull and greater resources put into cattle and badger vaccination.

"Whilst a step in the right direction, the measures announced by the Government do not go far enough.”