N.Ireland
Northern Ireland's new agriculture minister has said the region's spend on Bovine TB is a "bigger scandal" than the botched RHI scheme.
Breaking News
DAERA has today announced the new chairman and first four members of its new TB Eradication Partnership (TBEP).
Despite a slight increase in the region's latest TB figures, the disease's incidence rate still sits lower than just a few months ago.
Bad weather has meant Northern Ireland's TB Eradication Partnership (TBEP) start date is likely to be pushed back.
Official figures seen by AgriLand - which are yet to made publicly available - reveal herd incidence rates have dropped two months in a row.
Northern Ireland's TB crisis has already begun to affect its future trade, with Spain already saying it won't accept calves from the region.
Co-infection - especially with liver fluke - could be desensitising existing TB tests, essentially putting control measures to waste.
Scientists say they could have the answer to eradicating TB in Ireland - but it could mean a radical Australian-style movement system.
A lack of elected leadership has put major strain on Northern Ireland's TB situation, the region's chief vet Robert Huey has said.
A Northern Ireland pedigree society has written to the chief vet asking that a tiered approach is taken towards TB based on biosecurity.
Official figures show the TB situation in Northern Ireland is worsening - the region's herd incidence rate hit its worst level since 2003.
Continuation of the status quo in Northern Ireland over the next 40 years could cost NI an estimated £1,055 million in TB costs alone.
New TB quangos - including TBEP - are expected to cost Northern Ireland up to £20,000 a year, according to a response to TB recommendations.
Pioneering vet Dick Sibley thought he would have been lauded after he managed to clear a chronically infected herd of TB in just two years.
Pioneering TB vet Dick Sibley introduces himself to AgriLand with a disclaimer: "Don't do this at home," he says.
Farmers at a UFU meeting held earlier this week said they felt appalled that no one had raised the issue of suffering badgers.
Pedigree Cattle Trust chairman Brian Walker told the conference that the department had "failed" in its efforts to tackle the disease.
Proposals for an industry-led TB levy could raise up to £4.8 million in a year if the maximum £3 per animal was collected.
DAERA has extending the closing date for responses to its TB consultation on recommendations made by the TB Strategic Partnership.
Scientists at AFBI have used advanced techniques to identify around 11 main TB strains in Northern Ireland.
A vet whose pioneering research into bovine TB has been backed by Queen guitarist Brian May is set to speak at a major TB conference.
Farmers are debating the possibility of introducing a levy on meat or milk to be used towards tackling the TB problem.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture (DAERA) will begin badger sett surveys in two bovine...
