Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of herds under restriction with tuberculosis and brucellosis on a county basis, at January 2000 and at the present time; if there has been further progress towards and all-island disease programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23092/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The attached table sets out the number of herds under restriction on a county by county basis for bovine tuberculosis and bovine brucellosis for the period requested. The figures show a considerable improvement in the national situation for both of these diseases since the beginning of 2000.

The substantial improvement in the disease situation 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 co-operation 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. The position regarding an all-island disease programme is that the relevant authorities meet on an ongoing basis to discuss matters of mutual concern, including animal health issues.