Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let us consider the actual instance of TB. The number of reactors in 2002 was just under 29,000. Last year, the figure was a little over 18,000. There has been a steady reduction. In 2010 the figure was 20,211, in 2011 it was 18,531 and last year it was 18,476. We expect that figure will be lower again this year. Deputy Deering may be looking at figures for the number of newly restricted herds, which increased slightly between 2011 and 2012. That was partly because we have new rules relating to contiguous herds. We are trying to finish the job in terms of getting TB out of our herds. The trend on the whole is good for farmers and it is saving us money.