bovine

Prof Glossop paid tribute to Sir Brian's work, but added: "Did that case study prove that badgers have no role to play in the bovine TB equation? No, I don’t agree with that conclusion."

Sir Brian, who has long campaigned on animal welfare issues and against the culling of badgers to protect farms from bovine TB, published his letter of resignation on Instagram.

Department of Agriculture is working on a bovine vaccination for bird flu, but noted in a statement that this does not mean efforts to control the virus have failed.

The show was criticised by bodies including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which said it was "missing key evidence that would have helped to inform viewers on the facts about bovine TB".

Badger culling will end in England within five years as part of a shift in the fight against bovine tuberculosis, the government said on Friday.