Northern Ireland Bovine TB (bTB) Study – Press Release

Hidden £96 Million Annual Cost of bTB to NI Farmers Revealed

A new independent study by The Andersons Centre has revealed that bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is imposing a far greater economic burden on Northern Ireland’s farming sector than previously understood, with indirect costs to farmers estimated at just over £96 million per year.
Commissioned by the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), the report provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of the full financial, environmental and social impacts of bTB on farm businesses.

While public expenditure on bTB control is well documented, the study shows that these costs represent only part of the overall picture. When combined with DAERA’s direct annual spend of around £60 million, the total economic cost of bTB to Northern Ireland agriculture is estimated at approximately £156 million per year.

The analysis confirms that farmers bear the majority of this burden, with indirect costs significantly exceeding direct public expenditure. For every £1 spent by DAERA, farmers incur an additional £1.60 in indirect costs. These costs arise not only during disease breakdowns, but also from the ongoing burden of testing, compliance and disease risk across the sector. bTB is now acting as a structural constraint on farm profitability, with indirect costs equivalent to almost one-third of total agricultural support in Northern Ireland.

At farm level, the impacts are highly variable but can be severe. Depending on farm type, size and disease scenario, annual costs can range from a few thousand pounds to well over £100,000. Dairy farms are particularly exposed due to higher biological intensity and limited flexibility in herd management, although significant impacts are also evident across beef and mixed systems.

The report identifies several key drivers of these costs, including reduced productivity, additional labour requirements, cashflow pressures arising from delayed sales, and increased biosecurity expenditure. It also finds that breakdown duration and recurrence are critical factors, with even modest increases in restriction length leading to disproportionately higher costs.

Importantly, current compensation arrangements address only a limited share of the total economic impact. Payments for slaughtered animals do not reflect wider losses such as reduced output, labour disruption or longer-term impacts on herd performance. Extending compensation to cover these costs would be fiscally unsustainable and risks entrenching inefficiency.

Beyond financial impacts, the research highlights wider environmental and social consequences. Farms affected by bTB are estimated to carry around 5% additional stock during restriction periods, increasing slurry volumes, nutrient loading and emissions. Environmental impacts are estimated to increase by between 5% and 10% as a result of the disease.

The study also identifies a significant mental health burden, with stress and anxiety associated with testing, breakdowns and ongoing uncertainty reported as major challenges for farming families.

Drawing on stakeholder interviews, a large-scale farmer survey and detailed farm-level modelling, the report provides a robust evidence base for future policy development.

The findings point to a clear conclusion: tackling bTB requires a shift in focus from managing compensation costs towards reducing the overall economic impact of the disease. Priority should be given to measures that reduce breakdown risk, shorten restriction periods and address disease persistence.

The Andersons Centre notes that meaningful progress will require a coordinated and sustained approach involving government, industry and farmers, grounded in practical, farm-level realities. Access the report via: https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/bTB-Study-Final-Report-The-Andersons-Centre-31-March-2026.pdf

Figure 1: Breakdown of Aggregated TB Costs in Northern Ireland – £ Million

Sources: DAERA, The Andersons Centre
Notes: Aggregated (Direct) Costs denote the costs incurred by DAERA relating to compensation, bTB testing and associated administration. Indirect costs denote the costs borne by farmers which are not covered by compensation from DAERA.

This news release has been sent from The Andersons Centre, 3^rd Floor, The Tower, Pera Office Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0PB. For further information please contact Michael Haverty (M:07900 907 902; Email: [email protected]), or Richard King (M: 07977 191 427; Email: [email protected]).