Research into badgers is vital to add to our understanding of TB disease, badger ecology and their interaction with cattle, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.
Minister of Agriculture Michelle O’Neill visits Bovine TB Badger TVR Research Project in County Down, where she met with some of the staff who are implementing the study on the ground and highlighted the importance of gaining an understanding of TB dIsease, badger ecology and their interaction with cattle. The Minister is pictured with Project Manager Nigel Trimble and Group Staff member Mark Stevenson.
During a visit to the Test and Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) Wildlife Intervention Research Project currently taking place in the Banbridge area in Co Down, Minister O’Neill met with some of the staff who are implementing the study on the ground.
Minister O’Neill said: “Bovine TB is a major animal health problem in these islands. It is costly for the taxpayer and for farmers and places added pressure on the families of those farms affected. Its eradication is therefore a key priority.
“The TVR Wildlife Intervention Research Project is a unique piece of research throughout these islands and is vital to our understanding of the disease in badgers and their interaction with cattle.
“Today I have witnessed the professionalism of DARD staff in delivering this research project on the ground. This year all captured badgers will be identified, assessed, sampled and vaccinated. Next year all captured badgers that are TB test negative will be vaccinated and released, while those testing positive will be removed. In addition, up to 40 badgers will have GPS collars fitted so that their movement can be recorded and analysed.”
Highlighting the importance of a joined-up approach to tackle TB, Minister O’Neill acknowledged the role of farmers and industry in supporting the TVR research project.
She said: “Eradicating TB in cattle requires a joined-up approach between Government, industry and farmers. I am encouraged with the high level of co-operation from farmers and land owners in the Banbridge area in agreeing to be part of the TVR research project.
“With the continued support of local land owners, farming representatives and environmental groups I am optimistic that the number of permissions will exceed that achieved during last years’ Badger Sett Survey.
“This continued co-operation will help us add to the pool of international knowledge and assist in designing the longer term path to eradication. I know that the results of the TVR research project will be of interest to those in the south of Ireland, in Britain and further afield who similarly grapple with the difficulties inherent in bovine TB eradication.”
Over the next five years cattle TB incidence will be monitored in the Banbridge area and in several similarly sized non-TVR areas.
Information will then be compared between the TVR and non-TVR areas to identify any change in TB incidence in cattle.
(Source – Farming Life – 09/09/2014)