DAERA-VSAHG-On-Farm Bovine TB Biosecurity Advice · Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is responsible for food, farming, environmental, fisheries, forestry and sustainability policy and the development of the rural sector in Northern Ireland. As part of its commitment to improving animal health and eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB), DAERA is seeking to procure a service provider to deliver on-farm veterinary biosecurity advice to cattle farms across Northern Ireland.

The purpose of this work is for veterinarians to identify systematically, in collaboration with the farmer, 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.

This work shall also support and encourage positive behavioural change by engaging farmers in the assessment process, increasing understanding of disease risks, and promoting the sustained adoption of improved biosecurity practices.

The bTB biosecurity advice programme is a voluntary scheme for farmers, the Supplier must promote and provide an accessible and user friendly mechanism, by phone and online, through which farmers can register their interest and request an on-farm visit. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the requirements of this contract.