By Ronan Scott
An angry, and at times emotional, meeting took place at the Seaforde Young Farmers’ Hall last week, where farmers from the area shared personal stories of the damage that bovine tuberculosis (TB) is causing on their farms.
Farmers, both young and old, spoke of the repeated heartbreak of animals testing positive for TB, often resulting in the loss of large numbers of cattle, and with what they described as inadequate compensation in return. Many blamed the growing badger population for the spread of the disease, expressing frustration over what they see as a lack of meaningful action.
The meeting, organised by local farmers, was facilitated by Ronnie Murphy, who is based in the Tyrella area. A count taken during the meeting revealed that 13 farms in the local area are currently affected by TB.
Ronnie Murphy didn’t mince words in expressing the group’s frustration:
“We have men sitting here and their herds are down for over three years and they can’t get up. They can’t buy calves and they can’t buy in. How are we supposed to make a living? From the 1950s right up through, we have seen no advance made for TB. We need to go back tonight with a strong voice. We need something done. There are men here who are in dire straits.”
The organisers had invited representatives from all local political parties, as well as the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, and the department’s Chief Veterinarian, Brian Dooher. Only representatives from Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionist Party, and the DUP attended the meeting, though Aontú sent their apologies.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Ronnie Murphy addressed the room:
“We are here tonight to hear the stories from the farmers. I want to hear your voice. We have public representatives here tonight. I have to thank Sinn Féin for being here tonight, and the Ulster Unionist Party and the DUP. We need you to go back and put pressure on to save our farms and save our livestock. We need something done. We are fed up.”
In the full article farmers express how their herds have been damaged irreparably by TB, and what they want the local representatives to do to solve the problem
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