Debate contribution: Bovine Tuberculosis

Debate contribution by Mrs Deborah Erskine on 27 April 2026.

MLA

Mrs Deborah Erskine

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

27 April 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Bovine Tuberculosis

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5508730

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I support the amendment, and I welcome the opportunity to speak on an issue, namely bovine tuberculosis, that weighs heavily on farmers and families in the rural community that I represent in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. This is not an abstract policy debate where I come from. In 2025, in Dungannon divisional veterinary office (DVO), nearly 10 out of every 100 herds became newly infected. In Enniskillen, that figure was 12 in every 100. That represents thousands of cattle. Therefore, this is real, relentless and devastating. Across my constituency, farm after farm has faced the consequences of bovine TB. Entire herds built up over generations have been lost in a matter of weeks. Livelihoods are shaken, and the emotional toll on farming families is profound. We must be clear: it is not just an animal health issue. It is an economic problem, a component in creating bad mental health in farm families, and an environmental concern all rolled into one. In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the most immediate impact is felt in the farmyard. Farmers are carrying the heaviest burden of this disease. They are the ones who face repeated testing, movement restrictions and the financial uncertainty that comes with breakdown after breakdown. The stress of not knowing whether your herd will be next is constant. It affects sleep, family life and mental well-being. We must not underestimate the human cost: behind every statistic is a family just trying to keep going. The financial implications are equally stark, with costs exceeding £60 million a year. This disease drains the public purse and the agriculture sector. That is money that could be invested in growth, innovation and sustainability. Instead, it is being spent on managing a problem that has persisted for far too long. The ripple effect, as we heard today, goes beyond the farm gate to livestock marts, hauliers, processors and rural businesses, all of which feel the impact of this disease. In constituencies such as mine, where agriculture underpins the local economy, TB threatens jobs, supply chains and, ultimately, our food security. Whilst we welcome the work that has been done to date — the blueprint to eradicate bovine TV provides a framework, and additional funding through cross-border initiatives is a positive step — let us be honest: progress has been too slow, and farmers are losing patience. There is also a clear concern that pilot schemes, such as those discussed in the Chamber this evening, do not fully reflect the reality on the ground in constituencies such as mine, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, where prevalence of the disease is high and persistent. Any strategy must be representative, practical and capable of delivering real results across all areas. Today, as often before, we call time on bovine TB. Delay is no longer acceptable. We call for immediate and decisive action. That includes addressing one of the most difficult but unavoidable aspects of the issue, which is wildlife intervention. We cannot continue to ignore the fact that wildlife plays a role in the spread of bovine TB. Other regions have taken action. While it is not without controversy, it is part of a comprehensive approach to eradication. Farmers in my constituency understand that it is not about quick fixes or single solutions. However, I point out that the eradication of bovine TB became a departmental policy in 1964. Over 60 years later, incidence of the disease remains high. What farmers in my constituency want most is certainty. They want to know that there is a clear plan that will be implemented and that will deliver results. Today, therefore, I urge that we not accept just another consultation or review but that we act on what we are hearing from farmers on the ground, who feel the impact of this most severely. Farmers in Fermanagh and South Tyrone cannot wait any longer.

641 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:32 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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