Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is inflicting significant emotional and financial hardship on farmers, prompting a 12-week consultation on potential interventions, including those targeting wildlife.

The agricultural, environment and rural affairs minister in Northern Ireland launched the consultation in early July, seeking public input on wildlife interventions and exploring options such as culling, testing, vaccinating, or removing badgers. The cost of managing bTB is projected to exceed £70 million this year, with a substantial portion allocated to farmer compensation.

Despite recent falls, the rate of bTB remains close to 10% of the national herd. The consultation is part of the Blueprint for Bovine TB Eradication initiative, launched last year.

"The loss of cattle has a devastating effect on all of the family," said breeder Rachel Leader. "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."

Leader, who plans to respond to the consultation, expressed skepticism about solely blaming badgers. "They blame badgers, but there are other elements that I'm sure will cause and contribute. I don't think there's enough traceability," she stated.

She recounted an experience at the Clogher Valley Show in County Tyrone, where a heifer she had owned for 18 months was taken away. Although the animal tested clear for bTB, Leader described the emotional impact of losing a pedigree Hereford. "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," she said. "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."

Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher acknowledged bTB as a "complex problem, requiring a comprehensive and evidence-based approach."