Mr. Liam Hanrahan:

I thank Senator Daly for the question. There is no doubt the engagement within the forum has improved and the Macra na Feirme president sits on the forum and gives huge time to it. With the time given, it is important that it is effective. As is the case with any group, implementation is required, and we see that is happening, in fairness, given the feedback we get.

There are a couple of things which are encouraging. One that I would encourage further is the increase in genome sequencing. Similar to a proper contact test and trace system, which works in other aspects of “one health” systems, there is probably a requirement for a doubling of the samples being tested at the moment to be able to contact test and trace where the sources of TB are coming from and going to around the country.

Another encouraging point which is ongoing in the forum is around the breeding of less susceptible artificial insemination, AI, bulls. I would like to encourage further progress around this in terms of disseminating the information on which bulls we should be using and how to protect our herds going forward in our breeding programmes.