Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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551. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his plans to introduce two annual animal tuberculosis tests in certain areas as part of a plan to eradicate the disease by 2030; if County Clare is under consideration for two annual tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39662/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Bovine TB Eradication Programme as implemented by my Department includes a range of measures such as annual testing of all herds in the country, testing of herds contiguous to TB breakdowns, blood testing of certain animals, the restriction of herds which have experienced a breakdown, removal of sources of infection in wildlife, etc.  These measures have proven to be extremely effective in recent years in reducing the incidence of TB in the country from 5.9% in 2008 to 3.4% in 2015, the lowest level on record since the programme commenced in the mid 1950’s. With regard to County Clare, the implementation of the programme has reduced herd incidence in that county from 7.21% in 2008 to 4.10% last year. To date in 2016, herd incidence in County Clare is at 3.6%, slightly above the national average of 3.2%.

In view of this very considerable progress in reducing the incidence of the TB, my Department believes that complete eradication of the disease by 2030 is now a practicable proposition. However, notwithstanding the success of the current range of measures in the programme, the programme is not static and has and will continue to be reviewed and revised in light of developments in the disease situation, improvements in scientific knowledge etc. However, I have no plans to introduce two annual TB tests.