England’s controversial badger cull may have increased the risk of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) among herds in neighbouring areas, according to new research.

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that although badger culling reduced incidences of tuberculosis in the areas where it took place, in neighbouring areas the risk of the disease in cattle increased by almost a third.

Badger culling has been ongoing in England for several years as part of an effort to eradicate bTB. This disease spreads between cattle or via contaminated equipment, but it can also be spread by infected badgers.