Ulster Farmers’ Union President Ian Marshall has said that while it is encouraging to see a reduction in the number of Bovine TB animal and herd incidences in 2013, a reverse of the rising trend seen in 2012, more still needs to be done to tackle this infuriating disease as Northern Ireland is a ways off pre 1995/1996 position and indeed total eradication. The comments were made following DARD’s publication of its Annual TB report.
UFU President Ian Marshall said: “For over 60 years Bovine TB has plagued our countryside. It is a complex, challenging and costly disease, for both farmer and tax payer, and the UFU is keen to see it eradicated in Northern Ireland. However, the latest figures indicate that we are still a long way off eradication. It is good news that animal and herd incidences were down in 2013, however it is important to note that not all DVO regions have experienced a reduction in TB levels. The Ballymena region has increased in 2013 from its level in 2012; therefore we cannot become complacent that what we are doing is enough because it is clearly not.
“In the last 18 years, we have yet to return to our lowest level of TB incidences seen in 1995/1996. The UFU recognises the best way to tackle Bovine TB is for industry and government to work in partnership but farmers are frustrated. In recent years there has been some progress made towards tackling Bovine TB, such as developing meaningful partnership between industry and government; controlling the spread of TB between cattle; and launch of the first stage of the TVR project but it is essential that the Government remains committed to adequately funding and supporting initiatives focused on tackling Bovine TB. The UFU is also closely following the work of the TB Strategic Partnership Group, who has the remit to lead on the development of a long term strategy for the eradication of TB from the cattle population in Northern Ireland.”
