Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has said that farmers much have a ‘key role’ as part of the Minister’s TB Strategic Partnership Group.
Commenting Mrs Dobson, the Ulster Unionist Party Agriculture Spokesperson said: “Because they have had to put up with TB for decades our local farmers should have a voice when it comes to any future eradication strategy. For far too long the Department of Agriculture have given lip service to the issue of eradicating Bovine TB – preferring paperwork to action.
“We are told that the aim of the Minister’s Strategic Partnership Group is to see Government and the farming industry working together to develop a long term eradication strategy to remove TB from the cattle population. It must not be allowed to become a talking shop or a rubber stamp for endless DARD research. It must be a group which provides direct and expert advice to the Minister – and you will find no better experts on the effects of Bovine TB than the farmers who have been living with it on their farms for decades.
"I took part in a field study visit outside Rathfriland on Monday morning to view DARD's TB pilot scheme. I have always said this pilot must become much more than mere window dressing from the Department, something which must equally apply to the strategy group – farmers want to see action which delivers results when for too long we have had endless research and dithering.
Mrs Dobson has encouraged farmers to apply for the four posts which are currently open to application with the closing date next Friday.
In conclusion she said: “The aim of the strategy group is to help DARD create a ‘long-term’ strategy for tackling TB – my concerns is just how ‘long-term’ they are planning. I want to see an active group which advises on a clear TB strategy, one which delivers results by finally getting to grips with an issue which has plagued our farming industry for decades.
“The Minister has said that she wants to see the group as ‘all-embracing,’ it must follow then that the membership of the committee must be representative of all elements of the agri-food industry which are affected by TB.”
An application form and further information can be obtained from www.dardni.gov.uk/tbspg or by contacting TB/BR Policy Branch, DARD, Room 650, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Ballymiscaw, Belfast, BT4 3SB, e-mail: tbbr.policybranch@dardni.gov.uk, Tel: (028) 9052 5174, Fax: (028) 9052 4305.