UFU calls for decisive wildlife action to tackle bovine TB
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has submitted its response to DAERA’s consultation on potential wildlife intervention options as part of the Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland study, a Blueprint for Eradication.
The UFU says that after more than 60 years of increasingly stringent cattle controls, an effective eradication programme must also address disease transmission in wildlife.
UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said: “Bovine TB continues to have a devastating impact on farm businesses and farming families across Northern Ireland.
“Farmers have complied with increasingly stringent cattle controls for decades, yet we are still not making the progress towards eradication that is desperately needed.
“The UFU’s position is clear. Wildlife intervention is essential.
“Farmers want healthy cattle and healthy wildlife, but we cannot eradicate this disease while continuing to address only one side of the problem.
“Our consultation response has been developed around the evidence presented, the practical realities of delivering an intervention programme and, crucially, what will achieve meaningful disease reduction within the shortest possible timeframe.”
Mr Lynch added: “This cannot become another process that results in years of delay while bTB continues to take its toll. Whatever intervention is progressed must be evidence-based, practical, affordable and capable of being delivered at the scale required.
“The financial impact alone is enormous.
“Research commissioned by the UFU, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland and the Livestock and Meat Commission estimates the indirect cost of bTB to Northern Ireland farmers at approximately £96 million every year.
“When DAERA’s direct expenditure is included, the total annual cost is estimated at approximately £156 million. Behind those figures are farmers dealing with repeated testing, movement restrictions, the loss of productive animals and the stress and uncertainty of herd breakdowns.”
The UFU is also strongly encouraging individual farmers to respond directly to the consultation and make their views known.
Mr Lynch said: “It is important that DAERA hears directly from the farmers and farming families living with the consequences of TB.
“We would encourage farmers to take the time to respond in their own words, explain their own experiences and tell the Department what they believe needs to change.
“DAERA’s Blueprint identifies many of the actions required to tackle bTB, but identifying them is not enough. Farmers now need to see timely and effective implementation that delivers a measurable reduction in disease.”
To provide members with further information on the consultation and the UFU’s position, the UFU and AgriSearch will host an online bTB webinar on Tuesday 6th October at 8.00pm. UFU representatives and expert speakers will discuss the proposals and the Union’s response, followed by a question and answer session.
The webinar is available to UFU members. Anyone wishing to attend who is not currently a member can join the UFU beforehand to gain access. Members who register for the webinar will also be able to rewatch the recording afterwards at a time that suits them.
To register, visit the events section of the UFU website. To become a UFU member ahead of the webinar, contact UFU HQ on 028 9037 0222.
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