The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland is looking to appoint seven members to a new body, the Tuberculosis Eradication Partnership (TBEP).

The partnership will take effect from 1 April 2018.

The chief veterinary officer Robert Huey, outlining the remit of the new body said: “The TBEP will be a DAERA-sponsored expert advisory body.

“Given the range of positions to be filled and the need to achieve a balance of skills and backgrounds represented on the new partnership, the Department has identified a need for members with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences relevant to driving forward the eradication of bovine TB in Northern Ireland.”

These include:

  • A chairperson with proven leadership and inter-personal skills to undertake this role.
  • Two representatives of the Northern Ireland farming community.
  • A representative of the Northern Ireland processing sector.
  • A representative of nature conservation issues.
  • A person with a recognised qualification and experience as a veterinarian delivering services to the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
  • A person with an appropriate scientific background relevant to bovine TB.
  • Huey said DAERA wished to see a pool of applicants that reflected the diversity of Northern Ireland’s communities.

    He strongly encouraged everyone with the relevant skills and experience to consider applying for the position of partnership chair, partnership member or both.

    In particular, the Department would welcome applications from women as they are currently under-represented on public bodies in Northern Ireland.

    Full details of the role and remit of the TBEP, including information about the skills and experience required, remuneration etc can be found here.

    Eradication of TB

    The new TB eradication partnership is the primary tier of new governance arrangements being put in place to provide expert oversight of a new strategy to drive forward the eradication of bovine TB in Northern Ireland.

    In addition three sub-regional boards are being proposed which will be involved in the operational planning of the bTB programme and ad hoc local disease response teams which will be set up in the event of severe bTB outbreaks.

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