Farmers can't share TB costs - Chance for devolved government to deliver something different

Farm lobby organisations in Northern Ireland have a clear message for Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew following the British government decision not to proceed with a targeted cull of badgers in England to help eliminate bovine TB. They see this as an ideal opportunity for the Minister to prove that a devolved government can deliver something different.

In England, DEFRA minister Hilary Benn angered farmers' leaders this week when he ruled out any licensing to allow a cull of badgers. This was in spite of advice from the government's previous chief scientific adviser, David King, that such culling would be effective. Minister Benn's decision is believed to be heavily influenced by what has been described as 'public acceptability' of government policies. This has angered the National Farmers Union in London. It has made clear there is no longer scope to continue discussions on cost and responsibility sharing for disease control, which have been going on for many months.

This view was backed here by Cyril Millar, chairman of the UFU's animal health committee. He said the TB decision was effectively a deal breaker, since farmers could not be expected to write a blank cheque to cover the cost of a policy they believed was flawed. UFU deputy president John Thompson said this week that the discussions with DEFRA on cost sharing were 'exhausted'.

The English decision on badger culling coincided with the first meeting this week of a new DARD 'stakeholder' group looking at TB control policy in NI. The UFU and National Beef Association both said that lessons from the south of Ireland must be high on the agenda for this group. Culling of badgers in TB 'hot spot' areas has been a part of TB control measures in the south.

UFU president Graham Furey pointed out that, despite millions having been spent to tackle TB, there are now more cattle being culled annually in NI as TB reactors than was the case 10 years ago. TB is one of the most costly livestock diseases, so far as taxpayers are concerned.

Minister Gildernew has not taken a firm position on a badger cull, but she is under pressure to prove to farmers that devolution can deliver something different. One source said that she now had a straightforward choice to follow Dublin or England in this area. The Welsh executive has confirmed it will assess the impact of a targeted cull of badgers - indicating that a devolved administration can opt for a different policy.

Minister Gildernew has also indicated her commitment to pursue an all-Ireland animal health regime - this could be in doubt if she follows the English lead with regard to TB.