Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is deep concern among farmers who neighbour feedlots that house animals for which test results have been inconclusive. They believe this practice carries a high risk and their economic sustainability is substantially impacted if their farm is beside a feedlot where this takes place. Wildlife moves in and out through farms. I take the Minister's point that in some circumstances, these animals are permanently housed. However, farmers tell me that is often not the case and that the animals are often grazing.

They have serious concerns in this regard. I welcome the review that is taking place and I would suggest that that review needs to focus on that particular issue and recognise that the whole farming sector will be negatively affected if this continues to happen into the future. Everything that can be done should be done to eradicate TB. How many years are we working now on this process and we seem to be getting no closer to the full eradication of TB? It is one of the big issues for Irish livestock farming out there and we do not seem to be able to get to grips with it. This particular aspect needs to be dealt with in a very firm way.

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