Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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1117. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the incident levels of TB in the dairy/cattle herd for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17304/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The table below details the TB statistical figures since the 1^stJanuary for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.

As the spread of this disease is multifactorial, it is being fought on many fronts. The TB programme in each county focuses on factors including wildlife, residual or introduced infection, how disease is distributed in the area, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal of reactors.

Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving two or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herdowner on how to eliminate infection and measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Emphasis is placed on the biosecurity measures a herdowner can take to reduce risks on their farm, and when buying in animals.

Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme operates in line with best national and international scientific research and advice. A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of TB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principal causes of TB introduction and spread include:

- movement of cattle with undetected infection.

- residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB.

- spread across farm boundaries.

- indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches, and/or

- spread from infected badgers to cattle.

This research has recently been reviewed in its entirety for the Bovine TB Stakeholder Forum by its Scientific Working Group, which comprises a panel of internationally recognised experts in TB research.

The details of the new TB Strategy along with the results of the review are available on www.bovinetb.ie.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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1118. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the vaccination figures of badgers for 2022, and the first quarter of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Badger vaccination is now an integral part of the Irish TB Eradication Programme. This follows over 15 years of research work using BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis infection in badgers, and scientific trials carried out between 2013 and 2017 that show that vaccination is no less effective than culling.

In 2022, there were 7,245 badgers captured in vaccination zones. In 2023 to date, there have been 3,783 badgers captured in vaccination zones, which is up over 800 animals compared to this time in 2022.