Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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944. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of instances of tuberculosis reported in 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of farms affected; the number of tuberculosis instances associated with suckler herds; the number associated with dairy herds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20242/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested is set down in the Table below. The categorisation reflects the description on the DAFM animal health IT system.

Herd TB Restrictions count by Herd Type 2019 and 2020 to date.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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945. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new measures he proposes to implement to address the continued prevalence of tuberculosis outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20243/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A bTB Stakeholder Forum was established in 2018 to consider initiatives consistent with achieving eradication by 2030. The Forum finalised its report last year containing a series of proposals which had broad stakeholder support.

I will be launching a renewed TB strategy in the near future which will be informed by the Forum Report.

Stakeholders have recognised that further preventative measures are required if the ambition of eradication by 2030 is to be achieved. Steadily reducing the risk of disease transmission is the best way in which support can be provided to all Irish farmers – those whose herds are impacted by bTB and critically those whose herds are clear and who wish to remain free of the disease.

Strategy measures will be underpinned by the principle of supporting and empowering farmers to reduce the bTB risk to their cattle by making informed choices to protect their herd and their neighbour’s herds from becoming infected. Equally, it will focus on supporting herdowners whose herds are affected with bTB  to clear their herds of infection.

The risks associated with each potential transmission channel will be reduced through a series of coordinated measures, which will be applied in addition to the existing programme and in full compliance with the EU requirements for bTB eradication.

Most recent disease statistics point to a concerning trend. Herd incidence is rising and at 4.1% on a rolling annual basis is at its highest level since 2012. Equally, the number of reactors identified in the last 12 months has exceeded for 20,000 for the first time since 2010. In light of these trends it is vital that all stakeholders show leadership in supporting disease-reducing measures.