To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he plans to develop a TB eradication strategy similar to the UK Government’s plan for England where badgers will be vaccinated instead of culled.

Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the most challenging issues faced by the cattle farmers in Northern Ireland. Herd incidence currently stands at 10.09% and over £55million was spent on the control of bTB in cattle in the last financial year.

A long-term Strategy to reduce and, ultimately eradicate bovine TB in Northern Ireland was launched in March 2022. However, a judicial review decision in October 2023 overturned the previous Minister’s decision to undertake a non-selective cull of badgers as part of the Strategy.

The Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, has commenced a review of matters relating to bTB programme and policy, including the actions contained in the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy. My Department is determined to tackle all factors in the maintenance and spread of this disease. Brian and his officials are working on options for my consideration including those relating to the role of wildlife in the spread of this disease.