Badger trapping/vaccinating training courses delivered by VESBA
VESBA have been cage trapping and vaccinating badgers in East Sussex since 2021. Our team has developed a wealth of experience in surveying, baiting and trapping badgers. The enthusiasm and knowledge of our field team is key to the success that we have enjoyed. We are keen to share our experiences, and we offer an accessible and robust training programme to ensure that attendees are fully equipped to succeed in the field.
We have a APHA-approved trainer who provides education and training in all aspects of badger trapping and vaccinating. We work in conjunction with local farmers and landowners to ensure reliable badger numbers on training courses.
Please see dates below for upcoming courses.
Legislative requirements.
In order to cage trap badgers for vaccination, you must obtain a ‘Certificate of Attendance’ by completing Module 2 ‘Cage Trapping for Badger Vaccination’ (or other Natural England-approved badger trapping training).
In order to vaccinate and mark badgers, you must obtain a ‘Certificate of Competence’ by completing Module 3- ‘Badger Vaccination’.
Once you have completed the training and have the appropriate certification, you may apply to register for the class license Click this link to register as an authorised person (CL48 and CL49).
If you are not eligible to register for CL48 and CL49 class licences, you can apply to Natural England for an individual licence.
You must have a licence, or someone in a licensed vaccination group must add you to their licence, before you can trap or vaccinate badgers.
The Module 1 training course ‘Supporting skills for Badger Vaccination’ is not a licence requirement. Module 1 teaches you how to look for and identify badger signs and how to record them on a map. The field skills learnt in this module are however invaluable in improving trapping and vaccination success.
Module 2 training course: Cage Trapping for Badger Vaccination
The necessary elements of Module 1 will be covered within the Module 2 training course delivered by Vesba.
This Module is a one day course that mainly takes place out in the field.
To get your Certificate of Attendance for Module 2, you must pass a written and practical assessment.
During the course you’ll learn how to;
- comply with the rules on badger trapping
- carry out fieldwork safely
- follow biosecurity guidelines when trapping
- estimate the number of traps to deploy
- understand where to site badger traps
- set traps
- pre-bait
- trapping welfare
- safely identify and release a previously vaccinated badger
- look for and identify badger field signs
- record badger sett activity and other field signs on a map
Module 3 training course: Badger Vaccination
This module takes place over 3 days in a classroom and out in the field. You must have completed module 2 (or other Natural England approved badger trapping training) to attend this module.
To get your ‘Certificate of Competence’, you must pass a written and practical assessment.
This module teaches you how to:
- comply with rules for badger trapping and vaccination
- carry out fieldwork safely
- follow biosecurity guidelines when you’re vaccinating
- handle vaccines – how to store them, use the cold chain system, and keep records
- reconstitute and use vaccines
- assess badger welfare pre and post vaccination
- vaccinate and mark wild badgers – you can practice this during training
2024 Course prices & dates
Module 2
14th October
Price per person: £300 plus Vat
Module 3
15th, 16th & 17th October
Price per person: £1,000 plus Vat
For further information please use the ‘Contact Us’ page to get in touch.