UFU outlines its views on plans to tackle TB in Northern Ireland
AGAINST the backdrop of DEFRA’s decision to postpone the planned badger cull in Great Britain, the Ulster Farmers’ Union has outlined its views on bovine tuberculosis and plans to tackle the spread of TB in Northern Ireland.
UFU President Harry Sinclair said: “The UFU have been supportive of DEFRA’s plans to tackle the spread of TB in cattle. Our view is that TB cannot be eradicated in cattle unless the reservoir of infection in wildlife, mainly the badger, is addressed. Although DARD’s “Wildlife Intervention Programme” is somewhat different to the planned badger cull by DEFRA, the ultimate aim of Bovine TB (bTB) eradication is the same.”
Harry Sinclair continued: “The UFU wants to see meaningful action taken to address the disease in wildlife in Northern Ireland. Based on the previous DARD Minister’s (Michelle Gildernew) three stranded approach to eradicating bovine TB it must be recognised that farmers have fully embraced the first two strands which were: 1) real partnership between government and industry and 2) controlling the spread of TB between cattle. The third strand, addressing the wildlife factor, remains undelivered. UFU welcomes the recent announcement from DARD on their proposed “wildlife intervention programme” and believe that it is a significant step in the right direction for the farming industry. The UFU holds the view that the removal and eradication of TB from the countryside can only be achieved by addressing the problem in both cattle and wildlife. However, we are concerned that the proposals could entail a lengthy five year research programme. We also feel that the programme should be regularly evaluated and if the results are favourable then the entire project should be rolled out across the industry.”
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Tuesday 18 June 2013
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