Bovine TB: ‘You can’t describe the loss’ – the reality of the disease on farmers

The effects bovine TB (bTB) has on farmers ranges from emotional to financial.

Breeder Rachel Leader said the loss of cattle “has a devastating effect on all of the family”.

“The loss of that one animal, or animals, that you’ve grown up with, and suddenly there’s nothing after these years of generation… it’s just mind boggling, and you can’t describe the loss when you do lose your cattle.”

But what can be done to tackle bTB?

A 12-week consultation, launched in early July by Northern Ireland’s agriculture, environment and rural affairs minister, is asking for views on wildlife interventions and explores options such as culling badgers or testing and vaccinating or removing them.

The cost of dealing with the disease is expected to exceed £70m this year, the bulk of it in compensation to farmers.

While the rate of bTB has fallen lately, it is still close to 10% of the national herd.

The consultation is part of the Blueprint for Bovine TB Eradication launched last year.

The Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher said the disease was a “complex problem”, requiring a “comprehensive and evidence-based approach”.

Rachel Leader said she plans to respond to the consultation.

“They blame badgers, but there are other elements that I’m sure will cause and contribute. I don’t think there’s enough traceability.”

Speaking at the Clogher Valley Show in County Tyrone, Leader said she had one heifer “that was taken away 18 months ago”.

She said after going through tests for bTB her heifer “was actually clear”.

“It’s the impact of losing pedigree Herefords, the family line, the genetic breeding that we’ve had to build up. She would have been one of our show animals for Balmoral, so we were devastated at that loss.

“We do have a replacement heifer of hers. But very often, when you’ve had generations of breeding cattle, breeding the family lines… to lose those and then try and start again. It just doesn’t work.”