NI farmer fined after tampering with bovine TB test 8 March 2021 | Current bovine TB levels have risen to levels not seen for several years, DAERA says A Northern Irish farmer has been issued a fine after he was found guilty of tampering with a bovine TB test. Mark Watters, from Co Tyrone, was convicted of one charge of interfering with the result of a TB herd test. The 47-year-old was also charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a number of cattle. The control of bovine TB is dependent on identifying reactor animals at tests conducted by NI's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).