Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the TB testing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28510/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The bovine TB eradication programme includes a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, the payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors, implementation of a range of supplementary tests such as post-derestriction and contiguous tests, a wildlife programme, and the depopulation of infected herds in some cases. These measures have proven to be relatively effective in recent years as evidenced by the significant reduction in disease levels over the past decade. For example, herd incidence has fallen from 7.53% in 2000 to 4.18% last year and reactor numbers in 2011 were, at 18,500, the lowest recorded since the commencement of the programme in the 1950s. Reactor numbers and herd incidence have continued to fall in 2012.

The eradication programme is scientifically based and my Department continues to monitor and review the effectiveness and efficiency of the programme on an on-going basis in light of experience and research. In this context, my Department reviewed the programme last year and concluded that, if we want to progress towards eradication, it was necessary to address all other potential sources of infection, including from neighbouring herds and the movement of high risk animals, in addition to the emphasis which has been placed on badgers as a source of infection in recent years. It also concluded that it was necessary to ensure that testing is conducted in a timely manner. In light of this, my Department introduced a number of changes into the TB programme earlier this year to prevent the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds and to tighten up on overdue testing. These changes were made following a number of consultation meetings with the farming organisations.

I want to emphasise that the changes are, firstly, based on research which demonstrates that there are increased risks attached to the movement of certain animals and, secondly, that they are designed to protect clear herds from buying in high risk animals. For example, the restrictions imposed on the movement of inconclusive reactors is based on research which showed that standard inconclusive reactors which passed the re-test and moved out of the herd, subsequent to passing the test, were 12 times more likely to be TB positive at the subsequent test or at slaughter compared to all other animals in the herd. Furthermore, the new controls on the movement of animals out of herds which have been identified as contiguous to a herd experiencing an active high risk TB breakdown are based on research which showed that the risk of such herds disclosing TB is almost 3 times greater than the risk in the case of herds tested on a round test.

Following representations from the farming sector, my Department has reviewed the new arrangements. I have clarified that my Department will contact herdowners prior to restricting their herds under the contiguous testing programme and that herds which are trade restricted pending a test will not be excluded from the Russian trade. In addition, I have made a number of changes to the new arrangements such that herdowners who, having genuine reasons, negotiate a delay (up to one month) with the DVO prior to the overdue date will not have any penalties applied. In addition, herdowners who postpone their tests with the permission of the DVO or are contiguous to a high risk breakdown and are waiting for a test will be permitted to buy in animals for a limited period.

With regard to the four month period in the context of the contiguous testing programme, I have set out the position in response to the preceding Priority Question.

While I am very pleased with the improvement in the incidence of TB, my Department subjects the TB eradication programme to on-going review with a view to ensuring that there is a robust testing regime in place. The prevention of the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds is an important factor both in achieving the goal of eradication and in continuing to secure funding from the EU. My Department will continue to review and make changes to various elements of the programme as deemed necessary in light of experience.