Written answers

Tuesday, 26 September 2017

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bovine Disease Controls

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the accuracy of bovine TB skin and blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/17]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rate of accuracy of bovine TB skin and blood tests. [40290/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.

The key measures of a diagnostic test’s accuracy are sensitivity and specificity.  As is the case with diagnostic tests for most diseases none of the tests currently available for the diagnosis of bovine TB (bTB) allow a perfectly accurate determination of the M. bovis infection status of cattle.

However, the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (TB skin test) which is used in Ireland is universally regarded as the best screening test in a general population of animals.

The blood test that is used in herds in Ireland where there is TB infection present is the gamma-interferon test.  When used in parallel to the skin test, the gamma interferon blood test can help to resolve TB problems in a herd more quickly.

The accuracy of the current TB testing methods and tests will remain the subject of ongoing assessment and scientific review within my Department.

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the compensation scheme for dairy cattle lost to TB in view of the fact that the current scheme compensates below the market value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40291/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is designed to compensate herdowners for the loss of animals removed under the TB eradication programme and is based on the market value of animals (i.e. the equivalent price which might reasonably be obtained for the animal at the time of determination of compensation, from a purchaser in an open market, if the animal were not affected by TB) subject to certain limits.

The prices used in the valuation of stock are based on prices collected through the Department's price reporting systems. My officials ensure that the prices collated cover a wide range of type, quality and quantity of cattle and also diversity in terms of geographical spread which together ensures the prices provide a fair and equitable value. The prices are under constant review and where adjustment is required due to market changes this will be reflected in the prices.

I am satisfied that the current compensation arrangements which were updated in 2016 provide a very comprehensive range of financial supports to herdowners whose herds are restricted as a result of a TB breakdown in their herd.

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