£680k paid to vets for Londonderry TB tests

OVER half-a-million pounds was paid to vets through the Londonderry veterinary office for testing cattle for bovine tuberculosis over the past three years, according to the Agriculture Minister.

The sum fell from £224,143 in 2008/9 to £222,147.26 in 2009/10 before rising to £234,486.76 again last year. The total sum paid was £680,777.

Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill provided the details of how much her Department paid to veterinary surgeons for conducting herd tests through the divisional veterinary office, in response to an Assembly Question.