Ms Lockhart said: "The publication of the wildlife intervention consultation is overdue. For far too long, Northern Ireland's farming community has been calling for a strategy that leaves no stone unturned in tackling bovine TB, and this consultation provides an important opportunity to move that conversation forward."

"I would strongly encourage livestock farmers and everyone with an interest in the future of our agriculture industry to study the consultation carefully and make their views known within the specified timeframe."

“Farmers battling this disease understand better than anyone the devastating impact it causes to their herds and businesses. Their harrowing experiences must help shape the final policy.”

Carla Lockhart MP also commented on DAERA’s implementation of the mandatory use of interferon-gamma blood testing from 29^th June. She said: “Earlier detection of infected animals has the potential to reduce disease transmission within and between herds, and it brings Northern Ireland into line with the approach already taken elsewhere across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland."

"However, interferon-gamma testing must be recognised as one part of the solution. It is not a silver bullet for bovine TB eradication. The farming community deserves a balanced, evidence-based strategy that addresses every significant source of infection, including the infected wildlife reservoir that continues to undermine progress.”

The MP has received correspondence from farmers expressing concerns about the mandatory rollout of interferon-gamma testing in Northern Ireland. “I fully recognise and respect the issues they have raised,” she said. “Farmers are understandably concerned about the possibility of high numbers of false positive results, the compulsory slaughter of valuable animals that may have subsequently tested negative under the traditional skin test, and the additional restrictions placed on businesses already experiencing severe and prolonged TB breakdowns."

"These concerns should not be dismissed. Farmers facing major breakdowns are already dealing with enormous emotional strain, financial uncertainty and disruption to their businesses. It is therefore essential that DAERA continues to work closely with the industry to ensure fair compensation arrangements, practical support and transparent communication as these new measures are implemented.”

Ms Lockhart added: "At the same time, we must not lose sight of the wider objective. Bovine TB continues to inflict enormous costs on individual farm businesses, while the financial burden on the public purses runs into tens of millions of pounds annually."

“If we are serious about reducing those costs, and protecting the long-term sustainability of our livestock sector and family farms, then every available tool must be deployed in a co-ordinated and science-led manner."

"Minister Muir has delayed the ‘thorny issue’ of wildlife intervention for far too long. Experience elsewhere has demonstrated that meaningful progress can only be achieved where wildlife management forms part of a broader eradication programme alongside improved diagnostics, effective cattle controls, enhanced biosecurity and continued investment in research and innovation."



Carla Lockhart MP has vowed to continue pressing DAERA to deliver a robust, multi-faceted eradication strategy that gives farmers confidence that every practical, scientifically-supported measure is being utilised to finally bring bovine TB under control.