Debate contribution: Bovine Tuberculosis
Debate contribution by Ms Aoife Finnegan on .
- MLA
- Ms Aoife Finnegan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 27 April 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Bovine Tuberculosis
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5508728
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I support the motion, because bovine tuberculosis is not just an agriculture issue; it is an environment issue, a public health issue and, fundamentally, a livelihood issue for farming families across our rural communities. We cannot ignore the reality that high levels of disease in our herd increase emissions and costs and undermine the stability of our food production. When animals are lost, herds are restricted and farmers are left in limbo, that has a real and lasting impact not only on the agri-food sector but on the people whom it leaves behind. Let us be clear: our farmers are carrying a heavy burden. We are talking about a disease that is costing over £60 million every year. That money could be invested in the rural economy and sustainability measures and used to support farm families. Instead, it is being drained by a problem that we have yet to get fully under control. Yes, action is absolutely needed, but it must be the right action. It is not simply about one measure or one headline. It is about the integrity of the process and ensuring that any intervention is based on just transition, fairness and proper consultation. Farmers deserve to have confidence in the approach being taken, and they deserve transparency. They deserve to know that decisions are being made with them not done to them. We have to be honest about the complexity of the issue. Wildlife intervention is part of the conversation, but it cannot be the only conversation. If we are talking about exceptional measures in one area, how we apply standards across the board must be consistent. Animal welfare, environmental protection and disease control must be considered together, not in isolation. When we see 1,200 to 1,300 cattle being culled monthly as a result of bovine TB, does that not meet exceptional circumstances? If there are animal welfare measures in place, and rightly so, for badgers, why does the same not apply to cattle? Crucially, we must not lose sight of the opportunity that exists through cooperation. The Shared Island approach and the work of the TB partnership group show that progress is possible when we take a coordinated, evidence-based and all-island view. That is where real change will come from. The motion sends a clear message that we recognise the scale of the challenge, support farmers, and are calling for urgent, effective and fair action to finally tackle bovine TB. Doing nothing is not an option, but doing the wrong thing would be just as damaging.
421 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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