The first report by the UK Independent Scientific Group on cattle TB, chaired by Professor John Bourne, was published in July 1998, giving details of a randomized trial which will involve the extensive culling of badgers. The Group was formed to advise the UK Government on the implementation of the recommendations contained within the Krebs Report on Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers, published in 1997 (see, Animal Welfare 7: 217).