Last week Minister Muir launched a procurement process for a new veterinary-led biosecurity advice programme, estimated to cost almost £2.3 million over an initial three-year contract, with the option of a further year's extension.

Around 700 farms per year are expected to receive two on-farm visits from accredited veterinarians, or as DAERA refers to “trusted vets”, who will assess biosecurity risks and recommend measures to reduce the likelihood of bovine TB entering or spreading within herds.

Responding to the announcement, the DUP Agriculture spokesperson said: "I am very keen to see meaningful progress in the fight to eradicate bovine tuberculosis, but I have serious concerns that DAERA is once again focusing on expensive bureaucracy rather than taking the difficult decisions that are actually required to eradicate this devastating disease.”

She added: “Livestock farmers already receive professional advice on herd health and biosecurity measures from their private veterinary practitioners. Farmers have a strong rapport with their local veterinary practice, and these vets have an intricate knowledge of the farm, its overall herd health and TB history.

“DAERA’s latest plan risks undermining the private farm vets who already make a real contribution when it comes to identifying and mitigating disease risks, compiling herd health plans, and making recommendations to protect and enhance animal health and welfare. These are the same vets who are responsible for carrying out annual and supplementary TB tests on farms.

“While there is always merit in reinforcing good practice, we should not be fooled into thinking that another advisory scheme will solve Northern Ireland's TB crisis. This is another wasteful use of tax payers money, especially when DAERA vets could be more proactive in this role, rather than creating yet another arms-length body.”

Carla Lockhart MP stated: "The reality is that farmers have invested heavily in improving biosecurity over many years. They understand the importance of preventing disease, protecting their livestock and valuable genetics.

“However, there are limits to what any individual farmer can achieve when significant disease reservoirs continue to exist beyond the farm gate. It’s time for a practical, common sense approach.

"The Department cannot continue to ignore the role that wildlife plays in the transmission of bovine TB. Every credible eradication programme across the world has recognised that tackling TB requires action on all fronts, including addressing infected wildlife where the scientific evidence supports intervention."

Ms Lockhart said it was notable that policymakers elsewhere in the United Kingdom were now prepared to consider all available evidence.

"Only last week the Welsh Senedd backed a motion calling for expert-recommended wildlife controls, including targeted badger culling when supported by scientific evidence, to be fully considered as part of the eradication strategy in Wales. While no cull has been authorised, it demonstrates a willingness to examine every available tool rather than ruling options out on ideological grounds.

“The Welsh Government has identified the need for urgent and tailored-action, as its ambitious eradication programme isn’t on course to achieve official TB-free status by 2041.”

She added: "Northern Ireland cannot afford to fall further behind. We should be prepared to follow the science wherever it leads. If independent veterinary and scientific evidence demonstrates that targeted wildlife intervention has a role alongside cattle measures, then DAERA should have the courage to act."

Carla Lockhart acknowledged that the significant financial and emotional cost of bovine TB continues to be borne by farming families across Northern Ireland.

"Thousands of cattle are compulsorily removed every year, causing enormous financial loss and mental distress to farming families, while taxpayers continue to shoulder the ever-increasing multi-million pound compensation bill,” she said.

"Everyone wants to see TB eradicated, but that will only happen through a balanced, evidence-led strategy that addresses cattle-to-cattle transmission, strengthens practical biosecurity and confronts wildlife disease reservoirs.

“Cattle herd owners deserve more than another costly advisory programme; they deserve a comprehensive eradication strategy that is prepared to tackle every source of infection."

The MP also acknowledged that phase three of APHA’s (Animal and Plant Health Agency) on-farm BCG vaccination and DIVA skin test trials have been completed on 11 farms in England and Wales.

“The trial aims to determine the reliability of the DIVA test in vaccinated cattle. The test is intended to distinguish between animals infected with TB, and those that react because they have been vaccinated. The BCG vaccine is known to interfere with the routinely used tuberculin-based skin and blood tests.



“I understand, early indications are encouraging. The Government aims to have the vaccine and DIVA test ready for 2030. If approved, the vaccine could represent the breakthrough we have all been waiting for.”