NI farmers urged to take part in TB wildlife consultation
DUP agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart has welcomed a "long-awaited" consultation on wildlife intervention to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland.
The MP said this is a "vital step" towards delivering the comprehensive bovine TB eradication strategy that Northern Ireland's farming community has been demanding for decades.
The consultation, available on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) website, is seeking opinions on various actions that seek to address the spread of TB in badgers.
Submissions will be accepted until 5:00p.m on Friday, September 25.
TB
Lockhart said the publication of the wildlife intervention consultation is "overdue".
"For far too long, Northern Ireland's farming community has been calling for a strategy that leaves no stone unturned in tackling bovine TB, and this consultation provides an important opportunity to move that conversation forward.
"I would strongly encourage livestock farmers and everyone with an interest in the future of our agriculture industry to study the consultation carefully and make their views known within the specified timeframe.
"Farmers battling this disease understand better than anyone the devastating impact it causes to their herds and businesses.
"Their harrowing experiences must help shape the final policy," she added.
Blood test
Since June 29, interferon-gamma (IFN-g) blood tests for bovine TB is mandatory for certain herds in Northern Ireland.
"Earlier detection of infected animals has the potential to reduce disease transmission within and between herds, and it brings Northern Ireland into line with the approach already taken elsewhere across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland," Lockhart said.
"However, interferon-gamma testing must be recognised as one part of the solution. It is not a silver bullet for bovine TB eradication.
"The farming community deserves a balanced, evidence-based strategy that addresses every significant source of infection, including the infected wildlife reservoir that continues to undermine progress," she added.
The MP said she has been contacted by farmers expressing concern about the mandatory rollout of interferon-gamma testing in Northern Ireland.
"Farmers are understandably concerned about the possibility of high numbers of false positive results, the compulsory slaughter of valuable animals that may have subsequently tested negative under the traditional skin test, and the additional restrictions placed on businesses already experiencing severe and prolonged TB breakdowns.
"These concerns should not be dismissed. Farmers facing major breakdowns are already dealing with enormous emotional strain, financial uncertainty and disruption to their businesses.
"It is therefore essential that DAERA continues to work closely with the industry to ensure fair compensation arrangements, practical support and transparent communication as these new measures are implemented," Lockhart said.
