The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has today (Friday, February 28) published the brucellosis compensation rates for Northern Ireland for March 2025.
The compensation payable, for reactors and negative in contacts for which notice of intended slaughter is issued in March 2025 will be either:
- 75% of the animal’s market value;
- 75% of £2,216 (75% of £2,516 in the case of pedigree animals).
Brucellosis is a highly contagious disease of cattle caused by a bacterium which spreads as result of animals coming into contact with infected female cattle, aborted foetuses or discharged placental tissues and fluids, according to DAERA.
Brucellosis reactors are animals that have failed a serology blood test for brucellosis and are thus subject to slaughter and related compensation.
The herdowner will receive whichever is the lesser payment applicable to them and DAERA states that in no situation can compensation therefore exceed 100% of the market value.
The level of compensation reflects the fact that the animal is considered a reactor and a risk to animal health.
Brucellosis
Over the past 50 years the department has undertaken a programme of compulsory testing of all breeding bovine animals, the removal and slaughter of infected and in-contact animals, the imposition of movement restrictions and follow-up testing on herds thought to be at risk.
Farmers are compensated for losses in respect of animals slaughtered under the department’s brucellosis prevention and eradication control programme.
Female cattle and bulls over 24 months old are eligible for testing at routine brucellosis blood tests.
To control of Brucellosis, farmers are advised to report any suspicion of Brucellosis and in particular report all abortions in cattle, dispose of foetuses and afterbirths promptly, and ensure all animals are identified and have available for inspection herd record books.
