Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I am very much aware of the acute stress caused by a TB breakdown on a farm, and I am committed to driving down TB rates. Everyone in the industry is single-minded in their ambition to reduce the incidence of TB.

As a result of EU Animal Health Law Regulation 2016/429, new requirements concerning TB testing have been introduced. These regulations came into effect in April 2021 and are directly applicable to all EU member states.

The bovine TB stakeholders forum, which comprises representatives from across the agrifood sector, leading researchers and officials from my Department, has agreed to the introduction of these mandatory requirements on a phased basis. The requirements of phase 1 are that cows of all ages and males over the age of 36 months moving from farm to farm or through a mart must have been TB tested in the last six months and must also be moving from a herd that has been tested in the last six months. If the animal being moved does not meet the requirements, it must be TB tested 30 days prior to, or 30 days after, movement into the new herd. The animal is restricted to the receiving herd until the test is complete and clear.

The regulations are being introduced in two phases. Phase 1 is to be implemented on 1February 2023. A campaign to inform farmers of these new requirements is being rolled out.Farmers will be notified of the requirements by way of an email or hard-copy leaflet containing "frequently asked questions" whose answers will explain the requirements. Farmers will also receive a text message with a link to the leaflet and "frequently asked questions" on the Government's bovine TB website, . There will also be a number of media articles concerning the requirements. Farmers can also contact their regional veterinary office for information and advice. No date has yet been set for phase 2 which will see the rule applied to all animals. Phase 2 will commence only following engagement with farm organisations. These new requirements are aimed at reducing the level of transmissible disease in animals, including bovines. The financial working group of the TB forum is examining the financial aspects of the programme to ensure a sustainable funding model for it is developed.

See this speech in context