CVO review of bTB in Northern Ireland published
“The status quo is not an option, change over short, medium and long term is essential” – Andrew Muir.
A review into bovine tuberculosis (bTB) by Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) Brian Dooher has been published.
The report, which has been handed to agriculture, environment and rural affairs minister Andrew Muir, sets out nearly 40 proposals for tackling bTB in Northern Ireland.
The review will now be considered by the minister and his department. As a first step, the minister is setting up a new bTB Partnership Steering Group to produce a delivery plan based on the review and the 2022 bTB Eradication Strategy.
The group, which will include representatives from the farming, wildlife and veterinary sectors, will be set up by January with the aim of completing the delivery plan by March.
The proposals look at areas including protecting uninfected herds from disease, reducing transmission to other herds and wildlife, and the development of a wildlife intervention strategy.
On the issue of badger culling, which the report describes as ‘unconscionable and unacceptable to certain sections of society’, Dr Dooher writes that any decision made by ministers should be informed by science as well as other factors.
The report states that, if ministers decide not to cull, evidence suggests that non-lethal interventions might prove less effective, potentially making progress on eliminating the disease slower and complete elimination more difficult.
Herd incidence has increased in Northern Ireland in the past few years, with the rate at 10.41 per cent for the 12 months up to the end of October 2024. Spending on the bTB programme has increased by 39 per cent since 2020/21. The report describes the current trajectory as ‘unsustainable’.
Minister Muir said: “This is a pivotal report giving us a detailed and Northern Ireland specific overview of current challenges which has the potential to help put us on a much better course towards aim of bTB eradication.
“Collaboration and partnership working is key to help turn the situation around, it is of fundamental importance that industry, stakeholders and government work closer together.
“The status quo is not an option, change over short, medium and long term is essential. The mental health impact upon farmers is of deep personal concern to me and the significant financial burden upon both the industry and borne by government cannot continue.”
The full report can be read here.
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With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
