Kilkenny badger vaccine trial results ‘very positive’

The outcome of Badger vaccine trial carried out in Kilkenny could prove  good news for farmers in the battle against TB.

The project was to investigate the impact of an oral vaccine against bovine tuberculosis and the Agriculture Minister says the results of the trial were very positive.

Follow up trials to confirm the subsequent protection given to cattle as a result of these vaccines are already underway on farms in 6 other locations.

The outcome of these field trials, the initial results of which are due in 2018, will eventually determine whether the vaccination of badgers delivers an outcome equivalent to the current badger removal strategy.