Ulster Farmers’ Union President Harry Sinclair is encouraging farmers in the Banbridge and Rathfriland area of County Down to get involved with DARD and AFBI staff to enable them to carry out a badger sett survey on their land. DARD have chosen an area of 100km2 between Banbridge and Rathfriland which will include 600 farmers.
This week the Agriculture Minister announced plans to introduce a geographically targeted preliminary badger sett survey in the County Down area. This is in preparation for the proposed “test, vaccinate or remove (TVR)” wildlife intervention study which will include the removal of diseased badgers from the countryside and the vaccination of remaining badgers in the target area.
Harry Sinclair said; “It is vital that the permission slips attached to these letters are signed and returned as quickly as possible. AFBI cannot begin sett surveying until permission has been given by the farmer and now that we have seen some action from DARD it is imperative to keep the momentum going.”
DARD have already issued the letters to all farmers involved in the preliminary badger sett survey which should arrive this weekend.
UFU President continued; “We are totally committed to achieving the eradication of TB in Northern Ireland and look forward to helping DARD and other industry stakeholder’s implement a successful policy to achieve this.”
