(AGENPARL) - Roma, 17 Luglio 2026 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS

17 July 2026

DAERA launches tender for the provision of on-farm bTB biosecurity advice

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA, has today announced the launch of a procurement competition to appoint a provider of on-farm bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) biosecurity advice. 

The new service will see biosecurity advice provided by an accredited veterinarian over the course of two farm visits and involve an assessment of the specific biosecurity risks particular to that farm alongside identifying a number of key recommendations to help reduce those risks.

The aim of this new service is to establish a collaboration with veterinarians and farmers, identifying the key factors contributing to disease entry, persistence and spread within individual farm enterprises, and to generate clear, targeted farm specific biosecurity actions that directly address the risks identified. It will support an increasing understanding of disease risks, and promoting the sustained adoption of improved biosecurity practices.

Minister Muir said: "I am pleased to announce that the procurement process for the provision of on-farm bovine TB biosecurity advice is now underway.  Bovine TB is a complex disease and many of the risk factors associated with bovine TB being introduced on farm can be reduced by good biosecurity practices.

 "Tackling bovine TB is a key priority for me and my Department. The impact that the disease is having on the farming community is unacceptable. I am confident that this new advice service, provided by trusted vets, will make a real contribution to helping farmers protect and improve the health of their herds."

Around 700 farms each year are expected to benefit from this advice, with the first visits expected to take place later this year.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, commented: "This next step towards delivering a new biosecurity advice service for NI farmers is welcome. Biosecurity is a key tool in helping prevent initial incursions, and spread, of animal disease.

"This new service complements several actions within the TB Partnership Steering Group's Blueprint for bTB Eradication, which are being progressed by DAERA in partnership with stakeholders."

Further information is available at: 

Notes to editors:

The provision of on-farm, vet-led biosecurity advice relating to bTB has been a long-standing departmental objective and is included within the TB Partnership Steering Group's Bovine TB in Northern Ireland: Blueprint for Eradication.
The procurement process is being undertaken by Central Procurement Directorate.