Muir disputes DUP and UFU claim Derry-Donegal not representative for bovine TB pilot
Andrew Muir has said Derry, Tyrone and Donegal is an ideal location for a new pilot aimed at eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB).
The agriculture minister rejected claims by the DUP and the Ulster Farmers Union that the cross-border pilot is not representative of the bTB picture in the North as a whole.
The new cross-border regionalisation initiative was launched by Mr. Muir with his southern counterpart Martin Heydon in Newtowncunningham in February.
Financed by Shared Island funding the pilot is designed to tackle an illness that regularly devastates cattle herds and farmers’ livelihoods throughout the country.
"Although a border area was chosen to align with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s preference for north-east Donegal, herd incidents in the selected regionalised area in 2024 was marginally higher, at just over 11 per cent, when compared to the average for Northern Ireland of 10.7 per cent.
"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,” he told MLAs.
An examination of badger setts in the area is already well underway due to the potential for TB to be spread to cattle from the mustelids.
"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,” said the minister.