Environmental Impact of Bovine Tuberculosis on Northern Ireland Farms

A report by the Andersons Centre, commissioned by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Livestock and Meat Commission in cooperation with the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, has identified significant environmental pressures on dairy and beef farms affected by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland. These pressures include increased carbon dioxide emissions per unit of output, phosphate and nitrogen loading per hectare, and higher fuel and medicine usage.

Dairy Farms

For dairy farms, the operational disruptions caused by bTB, such as reduced output and delayed animal movements, translate into environmental impacts. This is especially noticeable when expressed per unit of output, with a substantial breakdown leading to more pronounced effects. The report indicates increased water, fuel, and medicine usage, reflecting the challenges faced during bTB breakdowns, including greater reliance on housed systems and additional treatments.

Beef Farms

Beef farmers also report increased environmental pressures due to bTB, particularly in carbon dioxide and ammonia emissions, and nitrogen and phosphate loading. The retention of animals on farms for longer periods results in higher feeding requirements and increased slurry output, contributing to greater fuel usage for handling and testing activities.

The report underscores that these environmental impacts are consistently upward across multiple categories, reinforcing the view that bTB is a significant driver of reduced environmental efficiency in dairy and beef production systems.