Badgers have been known to play an important role in the spread of TB to cattle. The Department of Agriculture reduces the risk by vaccinating badgers against TB.
The Department will also remove them when it is deemed necessary for disease reasons.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have released a video on how to spot badger activity on your farm as well as what you should do if you find evidence of a badger on your land.
A department spokesperson stated “It is important for you to walk your land and familiarise yourself with signs indicative of badger movement. If you find a badger sett on your land, contact your local department of agriculture office and ask to speak to the wildlife officer.”
Here is a list from the department of things to look out for when searching for badger activity:
- Holes in pastures from badgers looking for roots, tubers, bugs and larvae, especially leather jackets;
- Overturned cow pads;
- Small pits, about 12cm in diameter, called snuffle holes;
- Primarily stay on the same path which will become well worn;
- In wet areas, badger footprints can sometimes be visible;
- Badger setts are predominantly found in hedgerows, ringforts, scrubland and riverbanks;
- The presence of hay-like bedding at or adjacent to the sett entrance is a definite sign that it is a badger sett.
The department highly recommended that all badger sets are fenced off to avoid direct and indirect contact with cattle. All water, feeding and mineral licks should be in raised troughs. Never feed meal on the ground, as the residue is very attractive to wildlife.
