The Department of Agriculture is to announce a support package for farmers to implement on-farm badger biosecurity measures in a bid to curb the spread of TB.
The package will be introduced later this year. It is one of a number of new measures in the Department of Agriculture's new plan to tackle TB in cattle.
It will see farmers incentivised to do two things on farm to improve biosecurity:
Fence off badger setts.Install suitable water and feeding troughs.Further details will be announced by the Department in due course.
“Disease modelling shows that improved on-farm badger biosecurity is the single most effective measure available to reduce the risk of transmission from badgers to cattle and vice versa (reducing the risk by between one third and a half),” the Department said.
Farmers are advised to keep cattle away from badger setts with appropriate livestock fencing and to report any badger activity on their farm.
Advice
“If you find a badger sett on your land, notify the location of the sett at report badger sett or contact your local Department of Agriculture office, and ask to speak to the wildlife officer,” the Department advised.
Farmers are also advised to prevent badger access to animal housing, meal, and fodder storage areas. This can be done by:
Fully closing meal storage sheds.Installing roller doors.Applying sheets to gates to make them impenetrable.Using electric or mesh fencing around yards to deter badgers.The Department said that farmers should use raised troughs for water, concentrates and mineral licks to prevent badger access.
The Department of Agriculture is to announce a support package for farmers to implement on-farm badger biosecurity measures in a bid to curb the spread of TB.
The package will be introduced later this year. It is one of a number of new measures in the Department of Agriculture's new plan to tackle TB in cattle.
It will see farmers incentivised to do two things on farm to improve biosecurity:
Fence off badger setts.Install suitable water and feeding troughs.Further details will be announced by the Department in due course.
“Disease modelling shows that improved on-farm badger biosecurity is the single most effective measure available to reduce the risk of transmission from badgers to cattle and vice versa (reducing the risk by between one third and a half),” the Department said.
Farmers are advised to keep cattle away from badger setts with appropriate livestock fencing and to report any badger activity on their farm.
Advice
“If you find a badger sett on your land, notify the location of the sett at report badger sett or contact your local Department of Agriculture office, and ask to speak to the wildlife officer,” the Department advised.
Farmers are also advised to prevent badger access to animal housing, meal, and fodder storage areas. This can be done by:
Fully closing meal storage sheds.Installing roller doors.Applying sheets to gates to make them impenetrable.Using electric or mesh fencing around yards to deter badgers.The Department said that farmers should use raised troughs for water, concentrates and mineral licks to prevent badger access.
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