Mr. Conor O'Mahony:

Yes, for several years. They can be at quite a local level, at sub-county level.

The fifth key action is aligning with changes in the EU animal health law TB regulations. As a result of the new animal health regulations, we implemented this for TB on a phased introduction this year. Phase 1 was introduced in February, in which all cows of any age and males over 36 months, if they move from one farm to another, must have been tested within the past six months and the herd from which they moved must also have been tested within the past six months. If they cannot satisfy that criterion, they have to have a 13-month pre- or post-movement test. It is additional testing of what we consider higher-risk animals, such as older breeding animals.

The sixth key action is reducing the risk posed by badgers. This has been done by increasing the resources of the wildlife unit. In 2019, we spent approximately €4 million on the wildlife programme. So far this year, that is up to approximately €7.4 million, I think. Dr. Barrett discussed resources. The farm relief services complement has gone up from 115 farm relief resources in 2018 to 156 currently. That demonstrates the additional resources we have put into the badger aspect of the wildlife programme. Mr. Cashman discussed the overall approach to deer, key action seven, so there is no point in going through that again.

The eighth key action is tailored, simplified communications between the Department and herd owners. A communications subgroup has been established through the TB forum. This contains farm organisation representatives and Department staff. TB, as everyone is aware, is a complex disease. It is about providing a simple and clear message to farmers about the actions they can take for badger control - there is the Stop, Stop, Tell programme. We launched the badger app on which there have been 1,400 notifications since 2021. We are giving farmers tools they can use themselves and we are simplifying quite a complex message in as simple and accurate a manner as possible. That is a good example of how we and farm organisations can collaborate. A lot of information is contained in the TB programme, which will be ongoing.

The ninth key action is clearer messaging of the risks of TB transmission and how to address them, which falls under communication. There are several videos on our YouTube channel and we have a dedicated website,bovinetb.ie. The videos cover everything from testing facilities, what to expect from a herd test, how to ensure an accurate herd test, badger control, badger setts and badger fencing. It is clear, simple messaging of the risks. Biosecurity advice is also delivered to farmers. Unfortunately, the first time many farmers address TB is when they have an outbreak and a restriction. The first time biosecurity advice is brought up is when a Department vet goes out to a restricted holding, takes the farmer through the biosecurity advice relevant to their breakdown based on the contributing factors in their breakdown, their setup, their holding, characteristics of the holding and the herd profile. They have all been implemented, to varying, degrees quite successfully.

Again, they are ongoing. As I said in the opening speech, we would like to go beyond that. Dr. Barrett has discussed cattle movement. Dr. Griffin has re-emphasised, in terms of regionalisation paper that clear, simple actions need to be continually done.