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- Tuberculosis Incidence (9 Feb 2012)
Maureen O'Sullivan: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the current badger population in Ireland; and if he can provide independent peer reviewed evidence that supports badger culling as a proven successful strategy in the eradication of bovine TB. [7543/12]
- Tuberculosis Incidence (9 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: There are no accurate statistics available on the current badger population in Ireland. However, based on the results of the four-area project, the best estimate available to my Department is that there are approximately 80,000 to 90,000 badgers in the country. There is considerable peer-reviewed research showing that the removal of badgers results in a reduction in the incidence of...
- Tuberculosis Incidence (9 Feb 2012)
Maureen O'Sullivan: ...is a divergence between the research mentioned by the Minister and research which I received from the Irish Wildlife Trust, namely, independent peer reviewed scientific research which shows that culling of badgers has little or no effect on the eradication of TB and that it increased infection levels. It also states that even if all badgers were removed the same levels of TB would remain....
- Tuberculosis Incidence (9 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: It is probably appropriate to compare two different strategies, namely, what is happening in Ireland in terms of TB and what is happening in the UK. The UK has tried to treat badgers for TB rather than cull them. In Great Britain, which does not implement the badger removal programme, incidences of TB have increased substantially from 6,000 reactors in 1999 to 33,000 in 2010. I am not...
- Tuberculosis Incidence (9 Feb 2012)
Maureen O'Sullivan: The use of the snare involves extended periods of suffering for badgers, leaving the young unattended. I do not understand how we, as a humane country, can justify the use of such a cruel instrument. A recent newspaper article reported that people engaged in badger baiting in the North of Ireland had been arrested. We need to ensure much more humane treatment of animals. The Minister and...