Mr. Thomas Duffy:

I thank the Chairman. I appreciate the comments in the reference to our submission on this issue because Macra na Feirme feels very strongly that while the focus has been primarily on what to do once herds break down, we have seen that the increase in 2016 has been caused in a major and primary way through the spread to new herds or to new areas. Some of the key areas that we would like to see focused upon are, first, to address TB and to differentiate it. In some areas such as in Cavan, Monaghan and Wicklow there have been ongoing blackspots. Even at the point of 2016, unfortunately, those communities were never fully free of TB. These were localised issues but were never fully addressed. We welcome in the new strategy a more localised approach with increased help and support for those farmers to address the issue.

The challenge in those areas is very often to identify what the source may be. In some cases it may be wildlife. An exclusion of wildlife from feed bunkers and water sources may prove effective. I have visited farms, however, where despite all of the best efforts, which were in very well-contained and controlled farms, there was still, unfortunately, an ongoing issue with TB.

We also have to keep up to date with the modern technology and indeed with the advancements in genetics. This is something that is referred to briefly in the strategy. There has, however, been extensive work by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation in collaboration with Teagasc to identify genetic resistance to tuberculosis. At the moment those breed lists of AI bulls are available but are not being promoted in those areas. We have to adopt, therefore, a multifaceted strategy in terms of both the prevention on the outskirts of areas which have an ongoing TB issue, but also to take a much more targeted approach within those blackspot areas. In addition to that, as Mr. McCabe and has rightly commented upon, we need to support financially some of those areas. We have seen, in particular, over the years with areas that have never been able to become clear of TB that many farmers have lost income as a direct result of farmers being less willing to purchase livestock from those areas. This is on top of the constant pressure of ongoing tests and herd breakdowns, and the emotional and mental stress which this brings on farmers.

These are some of the items on which we have worked with the Department. We have also highlighted, however, that there are specific issues for young farmers in the financial risk. Young farmers are more likely to have taken on additional loans for expenditure on infrastructure but equally they are less likely to have the infrastructure in place in the case of a herd breakdown. We have to be very clear in differentiating that the impact of TB may be very different depending on the enterprise one is operating in. To a dairy farmer, the impact of TB come the month of January, when they will have to hold onto dozens of calves, raises both a welfare issue but equally raises a deep concern in labour, stress and the infrastructure available. Young farmers are more likely to be expanding their herds and increasing their investment which also puts them at a much greater financial risk should those sorts of herd breakdowns occur. These are some of the items that we would raise on this issue.