AQW 18508/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/05/2021
Answered On Date: 21/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether the destruction of protected wildlife will not be involved in his Department’s Bovine Tuberculosis Strategy.

Answer:

The proposed bTB (bovine Tuberculosis) Eradication Strategy for Northern Ireland aims to reduce, and eventually eradicate, bTB levels by comprehensively addressing all the recognised key factors in the spread of the disease.

Within the development of the Strategy, consideration has been given to the role of wildlife, specifically badgers, as it is widely accepted that badgers act as reservoirs of bTB infection. The Department is of the view that there needs to be some form of badger intervention if bTB spread between badgers and cattle is to be effectively addressed.

The eradication of bTB from Northern Ireland remains one of my top priorities and I have stated that I wish to consult on the new bTB Eradication Strategy, including proposals for wildlife intervention, in the very near future.

Following consideration of the responses to that consultation, it is my intention to progress implementation of the new Strategy, so that we can move towards eradication of this devastating disease from Northern Ireland.