Ask any cattle farmer what keeps them awake at night, and the most likely answer you will get is a failed TB test. The dreaded lump under an animal’s skin means it has been exposed to the disease. There is no cure and the entire farm is placed in lockdown for further tests while the so-called reactor is slaughtered. This was the fate of 17,000 Irish cattle last year, according to briefing documents prepared by officials for new Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary. Taxpayers and the industry threw €92 million at the disease in 2019. Farmers themselves paid €28 million…

Want to continue reading?

Introductory offer: Sign up today and pay €200 for an annual membership, a saving of €100.

Subscribe

Cancel anytime.

Are you already a member? .