Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the last point first, if I may. I acknowledge that there is a specific issue in Wicklow. In fact, the incidence of TB in Wicklow to date this year is 5.67% which is well ahead of the national average of 2.73%. I note the point Deputy Cahill made in respect of the possible contribution of deer to that increase in TB incidence. There is a non-statutory Irish deer management forum in which the Department and other stakeholders are participants.

We see that forum as the appropriate place to deal with this, in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht which has responsibility for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the agency that will issue the licence for a cull if it is deemed necessary. It is an issue on our horizon in the Department. We are conscious of the correlation between the significant increase in the problem of deer with regard to the management of conventional agricultural practices and the increased incidence of TB. We see the deer forum as a way of progressing that. I will keep the Deputy informed of developments in that regard.

The Deputy also referred to the issue of BVD, bovine viral diarrhoea. This was referred to earlier in respect of Animal Health Ireland and Johnes disease. The initiative in which Animal Health Ireland has been involved has made significant progress. The herd incidence of BVD dropped from 0.66% in 2013 to 0.33% in 2015. That is progress but I appreciate there is a problem in respect of persistently infected animals, PIs, remaining on some holdings. In 2014, we introduced an ex gratiapayment to encourage the disposal of PIs. In terms of appropriate and proper health management of their herds, farmers should embrace this initiative. PIs are a danger not just to their herd’s health but also to neighbouring herds. That is why the Department has stepped in with this ex gratiapayment.