Public asked for views on badger culling and vaccination as Northern Ireland steps up fight against bovine TB
- Love Ballymena
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Northern Ireland farmers, rural communities and animal welfare organisations are being invited to help shape one of the most sensitive and controversial issues in agriculture as DAERA launches a public consultation on possible wildlife intervention measures to tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
The 12-week consultation seeks views on whether interventions involving badgers should play a role in efforts to eradicate the disease, which continues to have significant consequences for farmers and carries substantial costs for both industry and government.
Among the options under consideration are badger culling, vaccination programmes and a combination of testing, vaccination and removal measures, although the Department has stressed that no preferred option is being proposed at this stage.
Badgers at centre of consultation
Wildlife intervention refers to measures aimed at tackling the maintenance and spread of bovine tuberculosis in badgers, which are recognised as one of the wildlife species capable of carrying and transmitting the disease.
The consultation outlines the scientific evidence, delivery considerations and animal welfare implications associated with several potential approaches.
Options include non-selective culling, selective culling through a Test and Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) model, and vaccination-only programmes.
Views are also being sought on capture methods, how any future intervention programme would be delivered and how it would be funded.
The consultation additionally asks for feedback on the potential introduction of lay vaccination of badgers against bTB, which would allow appropriately trained individuals outside government services to undertake vaccination work.
A disease with major consequences for farming
Bovine tuberculosis remains one of the biggest animal health challenges facing Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector.
The disease primarily affects cattle but can also infect other species, including wildlife such as badgers and deer.
Caused mainly by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis, the disease can survive in the environment for prolonged periods, with the organism remaining viable in faeces for up to six months.
For farming businesses, the consequences can include movement restrictions, the loss of infected animals and significant financial and emotional strain on farming families.
Launching the consultation, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir described the scale of the challenge facing Northern Ireland.
He said:
“Bovine tuberculosis remains one of the most significant animal health challenges facing Northern Ireland.
“It continues to have a devastating impact on farmers, their families and rural communities. It also places unsustainable costs on both industry and government.”
Part of wider eradication strategy
The consultation forms part of the wider “Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication”, a stakeholder-led strategy endorsed by the Minister in April 2025.
Developed by the TB Partnership Steering Group chaired by DAERA, the blueprint sets out 34 actions across three key pillars — Cattle, Wildlife and People — designed to provide a long-term roadmap towards eradication.
Mr Muir acknowledged that wildlife intervention remains one of the most difficult aspects of the wider debate.
“The Blueprint to eradicate bTB sets out three key pillars on which action is required to tackle this problem; Cattle, People and Wildlife,” he said.
“I recognise that a wildlife intervention is a complex and sensitive issue, and one on which there are strongly held and differing views.”
No preferred option being proposed
Given the controversy that often surrounds badger intervention measures, the Minister sought to emphasise that the consultation is intended to gather evidence and opinion rather than endorse a particular course of action.
He said:
“This consultation is intended to gather views on a range of possible wildlife intervention approaches, and I want to be clear that no preferred option is being proposed at this stage.”
Mr Muir reiterated that any future decisions would be guided by evidence rather than politics or public pressure.
“As I have previously stated, any decision I take on wildlife intervention will be science-led and evidence-based,” he said.
“The views received through this consultation process will play an important role in informing my decision.”
The Minister encouraged farmers, industry representatives, environmental organisations and members of the public to take part in the consultation process.
“It provides the opportunity to consider the available evidence used by the Department, contribute their views and provide any additional evidence in a constructive and informed way,” he added.
Veterinary chief welcomes evidence-led discussion
Northern Ireland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, welcomed the launch of the consultation and said tackling bovine tuberculosis requires a broad and balanced approach.
He said:
“Bovine tuberculosis remains a complex problem. Addressing the disease effectively requires a comprehensive and evidence-based approach.”
Mr Dooher said the consultation would provide an opportunity to examine the available science surrounding wildlife intervention and its potential role alongside wider eradication measures.
“This consultation provides an important opportunity to consider the available scientific evidence on wildlife intervention options and to reflect on their potential role, alongside other measures, in progressing towards eradication,” he said.
Consultation open until September
The consultation opened today and will remain open for 12 weeks, closing at 5pm on Friday 25 September.
As well as gathering views on wildlife intervention options, the exercise will seek feedback on the wider Blueprint for Eradication and help shape the next phase of Northern Ireland’s bovine tuberculosis programme.
Further information and details on how to respond can be found at:
The Blueprint for Eradication can also be viewed online at:
The outcome of the consultation is expected to play an important role in determining whether wildlife intervention measures become part of Northern Ireland’s long-term strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis.
