A recent survey revealed that most farmers were pessimistic about the likelihood of bovine TB being eradicated within the next 10 years. The research included interviews with 60 farmers across Ireland, followed by a survey which included 824 participants. It was discovered through the survey that the perceived effectiveness of preventative or biosecurity actions was the strongest predictor of whether a farmer actively engaged and implemented them. Knowledge of TB, awareness of the recommended actions and previous experience with TB were not associated with biosecurity behaviour. The study concluded that communications should focus on evidence-based narratives about the effectiveness of recommended measures while avoiding lengthy or overly technical material.

Source: Irish Examiner February 17, 2026 10:06 UTC