Maintaining of the status quo over the next 40 years would cost Northern Ireland an estimated £1,055 million (€1,189.8 million) in TB costs alone, a department report has claimed.

Meanwhile, it claims implementing proposals made by the TB Strategic Partnership Group could cut as much as £205 million off this figure.

Department of Agriculture permanent secretary Noel Lavery said the “spiralling costs” associated with rising disease levels were an “unwanted burden for taxpayers” and a risk to the future of Northern Ireland food exports.

The TB situation has got so bad the latest estimates predict the disease could cost the department £40 million (€45.1 million) this year alone.

It contrasts with full implementation of the recommendations which are believed to cost an estimated £850 million (€958.6 million) based on 2016 prices.

It is also estimated that implementing a scaled-down programme after achieving eradication would cost around £8.5 million (€9.6 million) a year.

The costs of maintaining the current scenario is estimated to sit at around £24 million (€27 million) and £28 million (€31.6 million) depending on continuing variations in incidence rates.

TB could be virtually eradicated within 40 years researchers in Northern Ireland claim.

Disease projections indicate that the status quo would result in a TB herd incidence level in the range of 6-7% by Year 40 (2056).

Whereas implementation of TBSPG recommendations, whilst continuing with the implementation of the baseline programme activities, would result in a herd incidence level of 0.1%.

The TB herd incidence level in 2015 was 7.0%. However, the latest figures show that by October 2017 herd incidence had risen to 9.47%.