A TB Strategic Partnership Group developed a ‘Bovine TB Eradication Strategy for NI’ in 2016, advocating for partnership working, improved biosecurity, and compensation reform in tandem with wildlife intervention. A copy of the strategy can be found at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/daera/bovine-tuberculosis-eradication-strategy.pdf. However the Strategy was not implemented.
In 2018 a report by the NI Public Accounts Committee strongly advocated a strategic approach to the control of bovine TB, with a focus on eradication of the disease, rather than containment alone. The report can be found at https://www.niauditoffice.gov.uk/publications/html-document/eradicating-bovine-tuberculosis-northern-ireland
Subsequently the TB Eradication Partnership was established (TBEP) in 2019. It recommended: revised governance of the programme, with partnership working, regional eradication partnerships and local disease response teams; effective action to deal with disease reservoirs in bovine and wildlife populations, and an enhanced role for veterinarians in assessing risks on farms and providing biosecurity advice.
Following a review by the NI Chief Veterinary Office a TB Partnership Steering Group was established in 2025 to
- create a framework of actions for the short, medium and long terms
- address culture change around bTB control, through people, partnership and science
- review cattle interventions and wildlife interventions
- investigate regionalisation
- explore financial supports.
A copy of the CVO report can be found at: