Northern Ireland bovine TB wildlife consultation extended

A public consultation on potential wildlife interventions to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland has been extended by two weeks.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the consultation will now close at 5pm on Friday 9 October 2026, giving farmers, organisations and members of the public more time to consider the proposals.

See also: Badger TB testing and cull trial begins in Northern Ireland

In July, Farmers Weekly revealed that Northern Ireland has launched a cross-border badger Test, Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) trial in Derry-Strabane and Donegal, as part of a £10m research programme to inform future TB eradication policy.

The consultation forms part of the Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication and seeks views on a range of possible wildlife interventions that could contribute to the long-term eradication of the disease.

It also asks for views on the wider eradication blueprint and proposals for licensed lay vaccination of badgers.

New modelling

Daera has published a previously unavailable scientific report referenced in the consultation documents.

The 2019 report, by R Budgey and G C Smith, uses simulation modelling to assess the relative performance of wildlife intervention options on bovine TB in wildlife and cattle in Northern Ireland.

The model assessed badger and cattle bTB interventions in Northern Ireland, comparing test, vaccinate and remove (TVR), culling, vaccination, and combinations, considering social perturbation effects.

Results showed all options reduced disease, with lethal control more effective without perturbation. 

Northern Ireland agriculture minister Andrew Muir said the extension would give consultees a “reasonable opportunity” to consider the relevant information before responding.

He added that he welcomed views from individuals and organisations on the issues covered by the consultation.

Anyone who has already submitted a response can provide further comments before the revised deadline.

The approach being considered in Northern Ireland comes as the other devolved nations take different approaches to wildlife and bovine TB.

Around the regions

In England, Defra is moving away from widespread badger culling towards greater use of badger and cattle vaccination, improved testing and tighter cattle disease controls as part of its strategy to achieve bovine TB-free status by 2038.

Wales has historically favoured badger vaccination over culling, but the new Plaid Cymru government has left open the possibility of targeted badger culling if recommended by scientific advisers as part of its bovine TB eradication strategy.

Meanwhile, Scotland retains its Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status and has no plans for wildlife-control measures.