DAERA Minister MLA, has today announced the
launch of a procurement competition to appoint a provider of
on-farm bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) biosecurity advice.
The new service will see biosecurity advice provided by an
accredited veterinarian over the course of two farm visits and
involve an assessment of the specific biosecurity risks
particular to that farm alongside identifying a number of key
recommendations to help reduce those risks.
The aim of this new service is to establish a collaboration with
veterinarians and farmers, identifying the key factors
contributing to disease entry, persistence and spread within
individual farm enterprises, and to generate clear, targeted farm
specific biosecurity actions that directly address the risks
identified. It will support an increasing understanding of
disease risks, and promoting the sustained adoption of improved
biosecurity practices.
Minister Muir said: I am pleased to announce that the procurement
process for the provision of on-farm bovine TB biosecurity advice
is now underway. Bovine TB is a complex disease and many of
the risk factors associated with bovine TB being introduced on
farm can be reduced by good biosecurity practices.
Tackling bovine TB is a key priority for me and my
Department. The impact that the disease is having on the farming
community is unacceptable. I am confident that this new advice
service, provided by trusted vets, will make a real contribution
to helping farmers protect and improve the health of their herds.
Around 700 farms each year are expected to benefit from this
advice, with the first visits expected to take place later this
year.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, commented: This next step
towards delivering a new biosecurity advice service for NI
farmers is welcome. Biosecurity is a key tool in helping prevent
initial incursions, and spread, of animal disease.
This new service complements several actions within the TB
Partnership Steering Group's Blueprint for bTB Eradication, which
are being progressed by DAERA in partnership with stakeholders.
Further information is available at: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067539-2026
Notes to editors:
- The provision of on-farm, vet-led biosecurity advice relating
to bTB has been a long-standing departmental objective and is
included within the TB Partnership Steering Group's Bovine TB
in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication.
- The procurement process is being undertaken by Central
Procurement Directorate.
