Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue and for the kind sentiments she expressed at the start of her contribution. I also thank the Ceann Comhairle for his kind words. I look forward to carrying out my duties to the best of my ability.

The issuance of herd test history statements and reports to all cattle herd owners is viewed as just one of several measures that will help herd owners to reduce the risk of bovine TB in their herds. The bovine TB forum interim report identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them to reduce the risk of TB in their herds. It advocated for the development of herd risk categories that can clearly convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation. Against that background, the Department developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce the risk of TB.

I reassure the Deputy that I completely understand the frustration among the farm organisations that attended the TB forum. I consulted them and discussed the matter with them. The individualised reports are being seen as though they are the panacea to fix everything. They are one part of a much wider approach that will only work in partnership with farmers and farming organisations, my Department and the other bodies that are involved. That is why I welcome the TB forum being reformed. It will meet next week, on 1 October, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, will be in attendance. The farmers and my Department can discuss all the key issues we must address. This report is only one part of that.

There is a large and robust body of scientific evidence on bovine TB and this underpins the advice contained in the herd history statement. Furthermore, the content of the statement is consistent with the advice that has been provided by my Department for several years in newsletters, videos, leaflets and other media. Farmers have already been provided with information relating to their TB risk, but the new report presents it in a clearer and more detailed way. Following many successful years of reducing bovine TB levels to the benefit of Irish farmers, there has been a concerning incremental increase in the disease since 2016. This has continued in 2020, with further increases in herd incidence and reactor numbers observed. Herd incidence on a 12-month rolling basis has breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers have exceeded 20,000, the highest number since 2011. These trends highlight the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to manage the risk more effectively across all transmission routes. It is this need for action that is my Department's primary motivation in issuing the herd history statements.

Although the immediate trends are disappointing and worrying, great progress has been made in the past decade. In 2009, 5,860 herds were subject to restrictions, but in 2019 the number was only 4,060. That is a significant reduction which needs to be recognised. I again make the point that it is only by working together that we have been able to make that progress. We can do so again. That is why the meeting of the TB forum next week will be of such importance.

My Department remains committed to reducing TB in Ireland, as demonstrated by the recent sanctioning of an additional 16 officers to assist the TB programme. Attaining TB-free status remains critical from a farm family profitability and sustainability perspective, as well as from a trade perspective at national and international levels. I am acutely conscious that every TB restriction represents a significant challenge to the farm family concerned. It is a deep regret of mine that more than 2,700 herds are currently restricted, which represents a 20% increase on the same time last year. We wish to work with all stakeholders in ensuring that fewer herd owners experience the challenges associated with TB restriction and that we all work purposefully towards the eradication of this disease, thus eliminating this ongoing cost on farmers and the State.

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