The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has launched an 8-week consultation to seek views on a proposal to reduce the compensation rate for cattle removed under the bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) programme.

The consultation follows an instruction from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, directing several Northern Ireland departments to launch public consultations on measures to support budget sustainability and raise additional revenue.

Views are sought on whether the amount of compensation payable should be reduced on a phased basis, with a proposed reduction to 90% of the bovine animal’s market value in the first year of implementation with a further reduction to 75% of the animal’s market value a year later.

The consultation will be open from the 12 January until 8 March. To view the consultation documents (Consultation Paper, Regulatory Impact Assessment, Rural Needs Impact Assessment and Equality Screening Document) and respond visit: here

You may also request hard copies of these documents by writing to the address above or telephoning 028 7744 2384.  Alternative formats of the documents are also available on request.

Responses should therefore be submitted  no later than 5:00pm on the 8th March 2024.