Members of the TBSPG presenting the interim report to Minister Michelle O’Neill in June. Pictured (from left-right) are Campbell Tweed, Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill, Sean Hogan (chair of the TBSPG) and George McIlroy.
The deadline for the TB eradication strategy and implementation action plan in NI has been extended, Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill has said today (29/02/2016).
The report is being compiled by the TB Strategic Partnership Group (TBSPG), which comprises five independent members appointed by Minister O’Neill to develop a strategy for the reduction and eradication of TB in cattle in NI.
Today, Minister O’Neill said the TBSPG is seeking independent analysis from external consultants on possible options and recommendations.
The minister said the consultancy will need to be advertised at European level and will involve specified time periods, which are standard for a procurement process of this sort.
The consultants appointed will be unlikely to complete their work before late May 2016
“This will mean that the consultants appointed will be unlikely to complete their work before late May 2016,” she added.
TBSPG chair Sean Hogan has told Minister O’Neill that the report is unlikely to be finalised before June 2016. A further update is to be provided to the minister in April.
Last November, Minister O’Neill extended the original deadline for the report of 31 January 2016 at the request of Hogan. The group published an interim report on TB eradication in June 2015.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – Peter Mc Cann – 29/02/2016)
TB Strategic Partnership Group Interim Report 4th September 2015
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