NI parties back motion for new bTB strategy

The motion, proposed by Declan McAleer MLA, includes an agreed amendment to incorporate wildlife intervention as part of the future TB strategy, though it does not explicitly mention managing infected badgers.

Both Mr McAleer and Timothy Gaston MLA emphasised in the Northern Ireland Assembly that reducing TB in cattle cannot succeed without addressing the disease’s presence in wildlife reservoirs.

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The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) welcomed the development as 'encouraging' but stressed the need for the government to 'address TB in the badger population'.

Cattle are subject to stringent testing protocols aimed at controlling TB, but farming representatives argue these efforts have not succeeded due to the disease’s continued spread among wildlife.

In 2023, 0.98% of all cattle tested in Northern Ireland were confirmed to have TB, while 21.3% of 91 roadside badgers tested positive for the disease.

UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy highlighted the figures, saying they 'speak volumes' as badgers are 'one of the main carriers of TB in NI'.

He stated: “Scientific evidence has shown that targeted culling is recommended at disease incidence levels similar to NI, to ensure the success of additional combined wildlife intervention measures.

"It is not enough to simply have biosecurity measures; the current infection rate proves that. Badger control and biosecurity must go hand in hand, and only when the two are aligned will we see cases dropping.

“We continue to make the point that this is not about demonising badgers—we want and need a healthy environment where all animals can thrive.

"For decades, the TB strategy has failed to protect cattle, putting their welfare at risk." he cautioned.

The Northern Irish government is expected to unveil its updated strategy later this week.