Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The bovine TB eradication programme implemented by my Department involves a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, the payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors, implementation of a range of supplementary tests such as post-derestriction and contiguous tests, a wildlife programme involving the removal of badgers where they are implicated in a TB breakdown and, where appropriate, the depopulation of infected herds.

These measures have proven to be relatively effective in recent years, as evidenced by the significant reduction in disease levels over the past decade. For example, herd incidence has fallen from 7.5% in 2000 to 4.26% last year and reactor numbers in 2012 were, at 18,476, almost 40% lower than in 2008. In fact, the number of reactors last year was the lowest recorded since the commencement of the programme in the 1950s. Both the previous Government and this Government have been consistent in their efforts in this regard. It should also be noted that the reduction in disease levels in recent years has also resulted in considerable savings on disease eradication. For example, annual expenditure on the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes has fallen by over €20 million or by one third since 2008. I am sure Deputy Naughten has a more specific question and I will be pleased to answer it.

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