The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is hosting a joint webinar with AgriSearch on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair’s public consultation on options for potential wildlife intervention to help tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland for UFU members.
The online webinar will be held on Tuesday 6 October at 8.00pm. UFU representatives and expert speakers will give their view on DAERA’s proposals and provide guidance to UFU membership, followed by a question and answer session.
UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said, “This is a vital opportunity for farmers to make their voice heard on the future of wildlife intervention in Northern Ireland. The consultation focuses on how Northern Ireland should address the role of badgers in the maintenance and spread of bTB, alongside wider disease control measures, and invites views on three key potential wildlife intervention approaches.”
The consultation covers two different methods of badger capture within these approaches. The use of baited cages and the use of stopped restraints. DAERA have also provided a cost-benefit analysis for all options which is available to view on the consultation webpage.
“The consultation also invites comments on the wider Blueprint for Eradication and proposals relating to licensed lay vaccination of badgers. This was a previously unavailable scientific report referenced within the consultation documentation and has now been made available alongside an analysis of available scientific evidence.
“I encourage all UFU members to register for the webinar, complete the consultation, sharing their views and personal stories, and help develop a solution that will work for the farming industry,” said Mr Lynch.
To register for the bTB webinar visit the UFU website,. If you wish to become a member prior to the webinar in order to attend, contact UFU HQ on 02890 370 222.
For further information or to respond to the consultation, click here or email TB.Consultation@daera-ni.gov.uk.
