Dr. Damien Barrett:

No. We have evidence from County Wicklow through whole-genome sequencing that the same strains of TB were present in deer, badgers and cattle. We do not have that evidence established in other parts of the country. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence but we have good data there. Generally speaking, the level of TB in deer samples that have been submitted to regional veterinary labs for analysis is approximately 2%. In one particular study in County Wicklow, we found that to be about 16%. In low-incidence areas, the level of TB among badgers is about 15% and in high-incidence areas it could be between 30% or 40%.