A plan by DAERA to tackle bovine TB should not be delayed because an Executive is not in place at Stormont, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said.

As highlighted in the Irish Farmers Journal last week, the number of TB reactors coming off farms in January 2017 was the highest it has been since 2004.

While options to tackle the disease were put forward by the industry-led TB Strategic Partnership Group last December, without a minister, a DAERA response has been slowed. It had been hoped that a public consultation outlining DAERA’s position would have begun early this year.

“While we might not all agree on the way ahead, we do all agree that something has to be done. Realistically, if we wait for a new minister, and then wait for them to be briefed, we are talking about there being no progress on TB eradication this year. That is simply unacceptable,” said UFU president Barclay Bell.

Responding, a DAERA spokesperson insisted that the department remains committed to eradicating the disease, and pointed out that a number of new actions (such as a more severe implementation of test results) have already been implemented, and partly explain increased reactor numbers.

“Officials have continued to work to prepare advice on TBSPG’s proposals which can quickly inform a consultation after a Minister is appointed,” said the spokesperson.