The number of cattle removed from farms in 2016 as bovine TB reactors totalled 11,923, the highest yearly total seen in NI for 12 years.

That follows on from a figure in 2015 of 11,004, the second-highest yearly total in recent years. In the previous 10 years, the average number of cattle removed as reactors was 8,629.

As the scourge of bovine TB continues, without local devolved government, plans for a new strategy to combat the disease are on hold. Meanwhile, DAERA officials are left to hope that their new stricter TB testing regime will soon start to bear fruit.

As yet there is little sign of that happening, with 1,388 reactor animals removed in November 2016, and a further 1,375 removed in December. During that month a total of 356 herds had at least one TB reactor, with 232 of these being new reactor herds, the highest monthly total since the early 2000s.

Cumulative herd incidence (the number of new reactor herds as a proportion of the total tested) in NI is at 7.45%. Compare that to the Republic of Ireland, where TB has generally been on the decline, with the latest results putting herd incidence at just over 3%.

Highest rates

The highest rates of TB herd incidence in NI are currently in the area covered by the Newtownards divisional veterinary office (10.57%), followed by the Dungannon office (8.8%) and the Coleraine office (8.72%). Some parts of NI – most notably the area covered by the Derry office – have seen reduced levels of TB in the last 12 months.

At present in NI, 3,236 herds (11% of the total) are currently under some form of TB restriction (either suspended or withdrawn).