Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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488. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the TB epidemic on 18 farms in Ballyduff Upper, County Waterford; the way in which he plans to deal with the epidemic in isolated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23368/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Notwithstanding the progress in the TB eradication programme in recent years, from time to time clusters of outbreaks - as can be expected with an infectious contagious disease - occur in defined geographical locations. 12 herds are currently experiencing a TB breakdown in the Ballyduff Upper area, Co. Waterford. The breakdowns commenced in Autumn/Winter 2017 and early Spring 2018. One herd has since gone clear. In total, 200 reactors have been removed from a total of 13 farms.

Epidemiological investigations conclude that spread from wildlife (badgers), contiguous neighbourhood spread, within-herd spread and in some cases, residual infection were the likely sources of infection. Fragmentation of holdings is a feature of farming in the area and also has the potential to contribute to the spread of infection. Deer are noted as being present but there is no evidence to date that they have any significant role to play in causing or sustaining bovine TB infection in cattle in the area.

Actions taken in the area include, the removal and slaughter of 200 reactors, the implementation of a contiguous testing programme in neighbouring herds, epidemiological investigations for each herd in breakdown and forward/back tracing of animals moved completed for each herd. A wildlife programme is in operation to deal with any potential wildlife reservoir of infection and supplementary blood testing (gamma-interferon) was carried out where warranted.

My Department has dealt with this outbreak in an effective and efficient manner, including meeting with the local farming body and will continue to do so in all such cases. Department officials will continue to proactively manage the outbreak in the area in helping affected herds go clear in as short a timeframe as possible.