Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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425. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of TB reactors in each of the past ten years in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55948/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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426. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TB reactors in dairy stock per year over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55949/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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427. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TB reactors in beef stock per year over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55950/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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428. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many animals under three months were TB reactors per year over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55951/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 to 428, inclusive, together.

The table below provides the TB Reactor numbers requested on a national level for the past 10 years.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown.

It causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families, and I am fully committed to the objectives of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy which aims to reduce and ultimately eradicate this disease in Ireland. This battle against TB continues in 2023.

There are three main sources of infection for cattle - the purchase of infected cattle, the presence of residual (undetected) infection within cattle herds and spread from wildlife (badgers predominately). The relative importance of these factors vary from herd to herd and all three need to be addressed to protect livestock and eradicate TB.

As of 3^rdDecember 2023, on a 12-month rolling basis, herd incidence has increased to 4.86% compared to 4.17% at the same time last year. In the past 12 months 4,983 herds were restricted, compared to 4,388 in the previous 12-month period. An increase of 595 herds restricted (13.5%).

Larger herds, fragmented farms, and herds that buy in cattle are all more at risk of TB breakdown. In addition the expansion of the dairy herd since 2015 has had an impact on increasing TB levels also.

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, how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, 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 three 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 farmer 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.

I am committed to reducing TB incidence rates across the country. We have made good strides since I launched the new TB Strategy in 2021 with all stakeholders working collectively and collegiately to reduce TB rates. We must keep this going with the ultimate aim of eradicating TB from the herd.

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

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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429. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money paid out per year over the past ten years under the TB compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55952/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s TB Eradication Programme has a comprehensive compensation regime in place for herd-owners who are affected by bovine TB.

The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings.

The Income Supplement Schemeis a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 10% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 10% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.

The Hardship Grantis a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1^stand April 30^th.

Depopulation Grantis paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd

In the table below, total expenditure per year in respect of all compensation measures is below.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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430. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of running the TB eradication scheme per year over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55953/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown.

It causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families, and I am fully committed to the objectives of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy which aims to reduce and ultimately eradicate this disease in Ireland.

The cost’s outlined below include, compensation to farmers, the wildlife programme, TB testing and supplies, and various research programmes.

Exchequer Cost of TB Programme 2013-2023