Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding tuberculosis and brucellosis incidence in the country. [6872/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Preliminary figures relating to the incidence of bovine TB in 2004 show a significant improvement on the position in 2003. The positive trend of recent years continued and the current estimate is that the number of reactors in 2004 will be under 23,000. This represents close on a 50% fall in reactor numbers from 1998 to 2004.

The incidence of brucellosis also continued to decline in 2004. The number of laboratory positives has fallen from 6,417 in 1998 to 664 last year. This represents a 90% reduction in disease levels in that period. During the same period, the total number of animals slaughtered under the eradication programme fell from 29,778 to 6,195.

The substantial improvement in the national situation for both of these diseases is due to a number of factors, including improved co-operation from all interested parties. I am confident that this progress can be maintained into the future with the continued operation of the existing measures and the ongoing cooperation of farmers and all involved in the livestock industry. It will be necessary, however, in the medium term to continue with the existing comprehensive control and eradication measures, which have brought about positive results in recent years in terms of reduced incidence of the disease.