Debate contribution: Bovine Tuberculosis

Debate contribution by Mr Andrew Muir on 27 April 2026.

MLA

Mr Andrew Muir

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

27 April 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Bovine Tuberculosis

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5508747

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members who tabled what is important motion, and I thank Members for their contributions to the debate. Bovine tuberculosis is not simply an animal health issue but one of the most persistent, complex and emotionally draining challenges facing our agri-food sector. Members are correct to highlight the very real burden that the disease places on farmers and their families. The TB breakdown does not end when the last animal is tested and removed. Its effects on farm viability, family life and mental well-being can linger for months or even years. The disease also has a wider impact on our rural communities, resulting in unsustainable costs to industry, farm families and government. The financial cost of delivering the Northern Ireland bovine TB control programme is well documented, and it is clear that the current trajectory is not sustainable for the public purse. It is important, however, that I state that departmental expenditure tells only one part of the story. Just two weeks ago, the Ulster Farmers' Union, working with the Livestock and Meat Commission and the Dairy Council, published a valuable and timely study by the Andersons Centre on the indirect costs to farmers of bovine TB. The report estimates the wider costs of lost output, extra labour, disrupted breeding plans and the impacts on cash flow at £96 million a year. When those indirect costs are set alongside the £70 million that is borne by the taxpayer, it becomes clear that bovine TB is exerting an unacceptable strain on public finances and the farming economy. It is vital, however, that we maintain a credible and internationally respected bovine TB control regime. Our trade in bovine products — meat and dairy — now approaches £3 billion annually. Market confidence, consumer trust and access to expert markets depend on the integrity of our animal health systems. That is why reforming and strengthening the bTB control programme is not optional. Rather, it is essential in order to protect farmers, taxpayers and the wider economy. I will return to talking about the concrete steps that we are taking to effect reform. First, however, I will respond on some of the important issues that the motion and amendment raise. The motion refers to the recent increase in human cases of tuberculosis in Northern Ireland. Although only a small number of those cases are attributable to bovine TB — three out of 86 cases that have been notified to the Public Health Agency, as was set out during the debate — they nonetheless serve as an important reminder that bovine TB is a zoonotic disease. Our TB eradication efforts have their origins in public health. The pasteurisation of milk, meat inspections and the compulsory surveillance programme have, thankfully, removed the widespread risks from bovine TB that were seen in the early 20th century. However, farm families and those working closely with cattle in affected herds must be mindful of the risk to their health. Alongside a physical risk is the very real toll on mental health. I have spoken directly to farmers who have described the strain of living under prolonged restriction, the uncertainty, the repeated testing and the effect on their immediate family. The UFU's recent study reinforces those experiences, showing that stress and anxiety often peak during testing and breakdown periods but do not simply disappear afterwards. I was particularly struck by the finding that 14% of calls to Rural Support relate specifically to the impact of bovine TB. That is a stark statistic, and it should make us all pause and reflect on the adverse wider impact on farm families. Let me say this clearly to farmers and their families: no one should face this alone. Support services such as Rural Support do vital work, and I continue to encourage anyone who is affected, emotionally or mentally, to seek help early. The motion also draws our attention to the environmental consequences of bovine TB and animal disease in general. While the impacts are not well quantified, there is little doubt that the premature slaughter of around 20,000 cattle each year carries a significant environmental cost. Evidence from farmers, including in the UFU report, shows that herd owners often retain surplus stock to mitigate production losses, particularly in dairy herds. To address that, my officials are working closely with the TB partnership steering group on new criteria for alternative control herds — both finishing and rearing units — that could alleviate overstocking pressures whilst remaining fully compliant with the legislative requirements. I expect to see further advice on that shortly. Despite the challenges, I appreciate Members' recognition of the progress that has been made. Since becoming Minister, I have been clear that meaningful reductions in bovine TB must be science-led, evidence-based and grounded in partnership. As has been set out in the debate by other contributors, no single measure and no single stakeholder can resolve the problem alone. That is why, in January last year, I established the TB partnership steering group and tasked it with considering, at pace, the Chief Veterinary Officer's recommendations on the next steps for our TB programme. Just three months later, in April last year, I was pleased to endorse the group's agreed blueprint for eradication. The blueprint represents a new, clear step forward for government/stakeholder cooperation. It is not a theoretical document; it is a practical, jointly owned road map for action. It demonstrates what can be achieved when government, farming organisations, vets and environment and industry bodies work together in good faith. Real progress is already being made, but I acknowledge that more needs to be done. We have increased the use of supplementary interferon-gamma testing in breakdown herds from 17,000 tests in 2024-25 to 24,000 tests in 2025-26. Subject to funding, I would like to increase that to a further 30,000 in the coming year. The test is an important tool, allowing us to detect infection that is missed by the tuberculin skin test. Working with the partnership steering group, my officials are considering the criteria under which its use should be mandated, bringing Northern Ireland into closer alignment with practice elsewhere. We are also improving transparency for farmers. To date, officials have highlighted the risks associated with cattle that have previously recorded inconclusive test results. Further work is under way to allow herdkeepers to access their detailed TB testing history online through the Northern Ireland food animal information system, empowering farmers with better information to manage risk. The motion, rightly, recognises the regionalisation research pilot that is now under way in the north-west. That five-year initiative, which is being taken forward in partnership with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), represents a genuinely innovative approach on this island. Funded through the Republic of Ireland's Shared Island initiative and UK Government transformation funding, it is the first time that a structured, regionalised approach to TB control has been trialled on a cross-border basis. The pilot includes enhanced cattle testing, strengthened movement controls, improved biosecurity and, subject to licensing, further research on the test and vaccinate or remove approaches to wildlife intervention. I take issue with the assertion in the amendment that the area chosen for the pilot in Northern Ireland is somehow not representative of our overall bovine TB picture. Although a border area was chosen to align with DAFM’s preference for north-east Donegal, herd incidents in the selected regionalised area in 2024 was marginally higher, at just over 11%, when compared to the average for Northern Ireland of 10·7%. The chosen region also benefits from a number of natural boundaries, such as the River Foyle and the Sperrins. In addition, the area experiences more cattle exports than imports, both of which are important factors in supporting the successful delivery of the pilot. Indeed, I am already greatly encouraged by reports that the sett survey work is progressing extremely well and by the high levels of farmer engagement in the area. I am confident that the evidence generated through the work will prove invaluable in shaping future policy decisions, North and South. Good progress has also been made in delivering several other key priorities in the blueprint, which include work to introduce movement testing, while procurement is due to begin shortly for the roll-out of Northern Ireland-wide, on-farm biosecurity assessments. Around 700 farms per year are expected to benefit from that important initiative, and they will receive two visits, most likely from their own trusted veterinary practitioner. I note that today's motion refers to the impact of bovine TB on animal welfare. Perhaps the most pressing TB-related welfare matter is the inability to move stock out of broken-down herds. Consequently, as highlighted, my officials have engaged closely with the TB partnership steering group to agree new criteria for alternative control herds — both finishing and rearing units — which could help alleviate some of the pressure of overstocking, whilst also being compliant with the legislative requirements. I will receive an update shortly on their progress. The motion also calls for immediate action on wildlife intervention. Since becoming Minister, I have been consistently clear that all elements involved in bovine TB transmission and spread must be addressed, and that remains the case. Members will be aware that a judicial review decision in October 2023 quashed my predecessor's decision to proceed with a non-selective badger cull in certain areas. As a result, I am legally required to consult again. I can only take a lawful decision on the way forward after I have considered responses to a fresh consultation, alongside updated scientific advice. Significant progress has been made in preparing the consultation, which will be issued once the necessary environmental assessment work is completed. Given the legal history, I am determined that the process will be robust, transparent and defensible. Efforts to control and eradicate bovine TB now span more than 60 years. The blueprint rightly acknowledges that reversing long-term trends and progressing towards eradication will take time and, realistically, more than one Assembly mandate. However, I conclude on a note of cautious but genuine optimism, without underestimating the impact that bovine TB has on farming families in Northern Ireland and the journey that we need to make. Our latest figures show herd incidents at 9·66% for the 12 months to the end of February, which is the lowest rate since the summer of 2022. Whilst my epidemiologists quite rightly urge caution in interpreting short-term trends, and they are right to do so, that improvement matters. It shows that, when we act collectively and decisively, we can make a difference. We have to do it together. My commitment to farmers, rural communities and the House is that tackling bovine TB will remain a top priority. We will continue to pursue science-led solutions, listen to those most affected and work in partnership to reduce the burden of the disease. Farmers deserve a future with less uncertainty, less stress and greater confidence that the system is fair, effective and moving in the right direction. I am determined to work towards that future in partnership with everyone.

1,848 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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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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