Cornwall Badger Vaccination Pilot

The procurement process for the Cornwall Badger Vaccination Pilot was conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), aimed at initiating a three-year project centred on badger vaccination and research across three pilot areas in Cornwall. The project falls under the services procurement category, specifically focusing on veterinary services. Using a selective procurement method via a competitive procedure with negotiation, the award process was completed successfully.

Key dates involved in the contracting process include the award on 10th June 2025 and the previous contract indicated in January 2025, highlighting a strategic start in March 2025. With the project emphasising quality as the sole award criterion, Defra aims to shift from badger culling to vaccination as a core TB control strategy in badgers. The activities are to be carried out at designated sites within mid-Cornwall.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities primarily for organisations involved in environmental protection and veterinary services. The NFU, already awarded the contract, is a large-scale business, well-suited to providing such complex services due to their vast experience with badger control operations. Businesses with expertise in similar areas such as veterinary services, research and development, and those capable of training and deploying technical resources could find further opportunities in subcontracting roles.

The project demands competencies in sett surveying, trapping, vaccination, blood sampling, and data analysis—all sectors where specialised firms can thrive by leveraging these services. Therefore, companies possessing technical skills in wildlife management and scientific research, especially those already networking in the Cornwall region, could benefit significantly from engaging with or supporting the NFU in this pilot initiative.