Farmers face even more bovine TB testing in NI as part of a series of updated measures published by DAERA this week.It is effectively the Department’s first attempt to implement some of the less controversial recommendations from last year’s Bovine TB Eradication Strategy.
Farmers face even more bovine TB testing in NI as part of a series of updated measures published by DAERA this week.
It is effectively the Department’s first attempt to implement some of the less controversial recommendations from last year’s Bovine TB Eradication Strategy.
But there remains no definite timescale to tackle the disease in wildlife, something which officials seem reluctant to do in the absence of an Executive at Stormont.
Additional tests
The announcement includes plans for an additional herd test to be introduced in the coming weeks for recently de-restricted breakdown herds if they are considered at a high risk of further breakdowns. “This effectively means that the annual herd test would be brought forward by six months,” a DAERA statement confirmed.
Further application of severe interpretation of skin tests in breakdown herds is also to be used by vets as part of the measures, and will probably lead to more TB reactors.
Wildlife
However, in a move to make some progress on the wildlife issue, a survey is to be carried out in two areas near Aghadowey and Omagh which will map badger setts and blood-sample 19 badgers in each area.
Badgers that test positive will be removed for laboratory examination. According to the Department, the information gained will be used to help inform potential future wildlife intervention policies.
The DAERA statement also confirmed that changes to the definition of Officially Tuberculosis Free status herds are planned for early 2018, which will remove the status if more than one skin test reactor is found.
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