Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to revise the rules on tuberculosis testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18464/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Bovine TB Eradication Programme, as is the case with any programme of its nature, is not static and has and will continue to be revised in light of developments in the disease situation, improvements in scientific knowledge and so on. However, annual round testing of animals, restriction of affected herds and removal of reactors will continue to be central elements of the Programme.

The Programme has delivered considerable success, particularly in recent years, with, for example, numbers of reactors in 2014 at virtually half the levels of 2008. In the same period, herd incidence of TB has fallen from 5.9% to 3.6% and has continued to decline further in the current year to 2.5%. This has already brought significant benefits to farmers due to a significant reduction in the number of herds being restricted with, for example 2,700 fewer herds restricted in 2014 compared with 2008.

The reduction in the incidence of the disease reflects the fruits of the various improvements which have progressively been made to various elements of the Programme in recent years, including the badger removal programme which was put in place a decade ago in its current form. The badger removal programme, while protecting the viability of the badger species, has contributed significantly to the sustained improvement in disease levels by reducing spillback from badgers to cattle. The Deputy may be aware that my Department plans to replace the current badger removal programme with a vaccination programme as soon as possible and research and field trials are being conducted to make this a reality.

As I have said earlier, the TB eradication programme is subject to on-going review, including by the EU Commission who provide significant funding towards the programme. Our objective in any review is to make the TB Programme more effective with a view to bringing disease levels down further and driving on towards the goal of eradication. We must draw from lessons learned in other areas, for example, brucellosis, where sustained focus on problem areas delivered the prize of eradication which has brought very significant savings to farmers through reductions in testing costs and trade restrictions. In this context, in light of contacts with the EU Commission and following consultations with the farming organisations, I am proposing to make some very minor changes to the testing regime which applies to herds after they have passed the clearance test. As part of the on going review process, my Department will continue to engage with the farming sector so that the positive engagement and co-operation which has delivered such encouraging outcomes over the last decade or so can continue.