Farmers get extra time to respond on Northern Ireland bTB plans

Northern Ireland has extended its consultation on wildlife measures to tackle bovine TB after a previously unavailable scientific report was added to the evidence.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said farmers, organisations and members of the public will now have until 5pm on 9 October 2026 to respond.

The consultation is examining a range of potential wildlife intervention options that could form part of Northern Ireland’s long-term bTB eradication strategy.

It also seeks views on the wider Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication and proposals for licensed lay vaccination of badgers.

Bovine TB remains a major animal health challenge for cattle farmers in the province, with disease controls capable of bringing repeated testing, movement restrictions and significant disruption to affected farm businesses.

The role of wildlife, particularly badgers, remains one of the most closely debated areas of bTB policy, with intervention options considered alongside cattle-based disease controls.

DAERA said the two-week extension was intended to give consultees enough time to consider the newly available scientific material before finalising their responses

Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said: “I am committed to ensuring that consultees have access to relevant information and a reasonable opportunity to provide informed responses.”

“I have therefore decided to extend the consultation period by two weeks.”

The consultation had originally been due to close at 5pm on 25 September.

Mr Muir said the additional time would allow stakeholders and members of the public to consider the full consultation material before submitting their views.

“This short extension will provide stakeholders and members of the public with additional time to consider the consultation documentation before finalising their responses,” he said.

DAERA said responses will help inform future consideration of wildlife intervention policy as part of Northern Ireland’s long-term approach to bovine TB eradication.

Any future wildlife measures would form part of a broader disease-control strategy rather than operating in isolation, alongside measures directed at cattle and wider surveillance of the disease.

The consultation also includes proposals around licensed lay vaccination of badgers, giving respondents the opportunity to comment on how vaccination could fit into future wildlife intervention policy.

Anyone who has already submitted a response can provide further comments before the revised deadline if they wish.

Mr Muir added: “I welcome views from all interested individuals and organisations on the important issues covered by the consultation.”

Responses must now be submitted by 5pm on 9 October 2026.