The government has decided against a cull of badgers in England to control TB in cattle, the BBC understands.
Its decision goes against former chief scientific adviser Sir David King's recommendations, made in 2007, that a cull could be an effective measure.
The decision has angered the National Farmers' Union, which claims cattle TB has already cost the industry millions.
In April a "targeted cull" of badgers was announced in Wales as part of a plan to eradicate TB in cattle.
But ministers have instead accepted the scientific arguments of the Independent Scientific Group on TB in Cattle.
NFU president Peter Kendall told BBC News that Westminster had "ducked the issue" and that the union would be organising a protest outside Parliament next week. A policy announcement is due on Monday.
The ISG's analysis - an earlier and much larger study than Sir David's - concluded that culling badgers would not be economic.
