Consultation on wildlife intervention options to tackle bTB in Northern Ireland is extended
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced a two-week extension to its public consultation on options for potential wildlife intervention to help tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland.
The consultation will now close on Friday 9th October 2026.
Views are sought on a range of potential wildlife intervention options that could contribute to the long-term eradication of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland as part of the Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication.
It also invites comments on the wider Blueprint for Eradication and proposals relating to licensed lay vaccination of badgers.
A previously unavailable scientific report referenced within the consultation documentation has also now been made available on the consultation webpage.
The Department has decided to allow additional time to ensure that individuals and organisations have sufficient opportunity to consider this material, alongside the wider consultation documents, before submitting their views.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “I am committed to ensuring that consultees have access to relevant information and a reasonable opportunity to provide informed responses. I have therefore decided to extend the consultation period by two weeks.
“This short extension will provide stakeholders and members of the public with additional time to consider the consultation documentation before finalising their responses.
“I welcome views from all interested individuals and organisations on the important issues covered by the consultation.”
All consultation documents, including the newly available report, are available on the DAERA consultation webpage:
Anyone who has already submitted a response may submit further comments before the revised closing date if they wish to do so. Responses must now be submitted by 5pm on Friday 9th October 2026.
(Down News ©).
