BADGER culling is to begin in Northern Ireland as part of the bovine TB eradication strategy, it has been confirmed.
It will take place in the second year of the test, vaccinate or remove (TVR) wildlife intervention research project.
In year one of the project badgers were cage trapped, tested for bovine TB, and released. In year two badgers will be re-trapped and tested. Those that test positive will be culled using a lethal injection of barbiturate. Data will be collected on the reliability (sensitivity and specificity) of the diagnostic tests to help inform future policy.
Commenting on the project Simon Doherty, president of the British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland Branch and North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA), said: “The next phase of the TVR research project is in a focused pilot area using trained staff. It will help us to learn more about the complex issues relating to bovine TB in both cattle and badgers in Northern Ireland, where farming practices and badger ecology differ to Great Britain.
“We recognise that there are limitations in the diagnostic tests that are currently available for badgers and cattle and hope that the study will provide some quantification and validation for the deployment of these tests.
“We also hope that the results will help to inform future eradication policy decisions. It is important that DARD continues to engage with the veterinary profession, and other stakeholders, as the project develops in order to inform future control and eradication strategies.”
