Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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10. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is committed to introducing a national plan to eradicate infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. [18582/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of moves by certain member states toward the introduction of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) Eradication Programmes. In this regard, I have requested Teagasc to undertake an appropriate cost benefit analysis of the impact of the introduction of an IBR control/eradication programme in Ireland. This analysis will cover a number of areas, including (i) the costs associated with the loss of the live export trade in calves and weanling to EU markets and (ii) the on-farm losses associated with reduced output on farms. I am hopeful that this study will be completed in 2015. In view of the importance attached to the live export trade, Animal Health Ireland has developed a series of information leaflets providing veterinary practitioners, farmers and their advisers with up to date information on IBR and its control. I would urge all concerned to adopt the advice in this leaflet with a view to minimising the impact of this disease.