The Badgers, the Farmers and Me Review – A Queen Star’s Effort to Save Animals

Most people know Brian May as the legendary guitarist from Queen. However, he is also an astrophysicist and an avid animal activist, particularly focused on badgers and the contentious issue of culling them. It’s a diverse resume, to be sure.

Brian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me delves into his advocacy for badgers, challenging the governmental stance that attributes the spread of bovine TB to these creatures. This disease necessitates the slaughter of about 20,000 infected cattle annually, a massive emotional and financial burden on farmers.

Badger culling has been a controversial practice for about two decades, with around 200,000 badgers culled in the last 10 years, costing taxpayers approximately £100 million annually. The government’s approach continually faces opposition from those who advocate for badger vaccinations, positioning the farmers as key stakeholders in this debate.

May, on the other hand, isn’t convinced that badgers are the primary transmitters of bovine TB. To investigate this, he collaborates with Anne Brummer, co-founder of his animal welfare charity Save Me Trust, and Dave Sibley, a large-animal vet. Together, they embark on a four-year investigation at Robert Reed’s farm in Wales, notoriously affected by TB.

Throughout the investigation, several surprising revelations emerge. One of the key issues they identify is the inefficacy of government-mandated TB tests for cows, which detect only about 50% of infected animals. This means many seemingly healthy cows continue to spread the disease. When better tests are employed, all infected cows are identified.

Another significant finding is that TB is spread primarily through cow dung. Dung, often used as fertilizer, can spread the disease if ingested by cows or other animals on grazing lands. This understanding leads to improved hygiene practices at Reed’s farm, which, coupled with better testing, results in a TB-free herd.

The documentary, however, doesn’t delve deeply into why these more effective measures are not widely implemented by authorities. Questions about the cost and accessibility of advanced tests remain unanswered, as do queries on whether better hygiene practices were considered and why cows cannot be vaccinated without being culled subsequently.

Despite these gaps, the film succeeds in its broader mission. Brian May aims not to impose his anti-culling beliefs but to foster doubt about current practices, suggesting there might be better ways to aid farmers while minimizing animal deaths. His approach is so methodical and calm that it carries a sense of revolutionary thoughtfulness.

Brian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me aired on BBC Two and is now available on iPlayer.