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<p>Landowners and private groups across England can apply to Natural England for a
licence to vaccinate badgers against TB. Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) provides
training for those who wish undertake such vaccination and Defra provides financial
support for projects within the Edge Area under the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme
(BEVS).</p><p>BEVS, relaunched in 2018 following a global vaccine shortage, provides
matched funding and training for groups that want to take part. Three groups were
successful with their applications in 2018. On 13 September 2018 we re-opened the
scheme and asked for expressions of interest from those wishing to apply to vaccinate
from 2019. The application process closes on 25 January 2019.</p><p>A long-standing
research programme at APHA to identify an oral vaccine and a palatable bait in which
to deliver it is also ongoing. An efficacy study is currently in progress, with results
due later this year.</p><p>We are currently considering the report of the TB Strategy
review, conducted by a team led by Professor Sir Charles Godfray, the scope of which
includes badger vaccination. A Government response to the review will be published
later this year.</p><p> </p>
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