Bovine TB costing NI farmers £96m a year, report finds

The indirect costs associated with bovine tuberculosis (TB) is costing farmers in Northern Ireland almost £100m each year, according to an independent study by the Andersons Centre.

This is the equivalent to almost one-third of all agricultural support in Northern Ireland.

Representatives of farming groups from across Northern Ireland met with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) officials on 16 April to hear consultants from Andersons present their findings.

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The report was jointly commissioned by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) and the NI Dairy Council, whose representatives were all in attendance.

The indirect costs included production losses, extra labour, additional spending on biosecurity, and routine testing.

UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy said: “This independent study quantifies, for the very first time, the scale and composition of the indirect costs of TB borne by NI farmers.

“It draws on stakeholder interviews, a large-scale farmer survey, farm-level and aggregated modelling to provide a robust assessment of how TB affects farm businesses in practice, and we must thank farmers and stakeholders for their participation in this vital evidence gathering process.”

He added: “Policy needs to be framed around reducing the total economic impact and not just managing stock valuation costs.”

The total annual economic cost of TB on NI agriculture is estimated at roughly £156m, after taking into account both the indirect costs and Daera’s direct expenditure on testing, compensation, and programme delivery.

LMC chief executive Colin Smith said: “The report shows almost £50m (51.4%) of the total cost is carried by herds that have had no breakdown.

“This stark statistic highlights these costs will persist in the long term unless decisive action is taken to eradicate TB.

“In addition to this, the report also highlights the environmental and social costs of TB which cannot be underestimated.”

Ian Stevenson, chief executive of the NI Dairy Council, added that NI farmers had endured the practical, financial, environmental and mental anguish associated with TB for far too long.

He said: “The excellent case studies really give a sense of what farming families have to deal with when the scourge of TB makes an unwelcome visit.”