Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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1567. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of herds which have TB restrictions placed on them; if his Department can remove restrictions on herds more quickly after testing negative subsequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33929/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As of 25th October 2020, the number of Herds with TB restrictions placed on them is 2,873. While TB disease is low relative to historical levels, TB herd incidence and reactor numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020. Herd incidence is now at its highest level since 2012 and reactor numbers are now at 2009 rates. Herd incidence is a measure of the number of new restrictions relative to the total number of herds tested in a given period.

A herd restricted under Irish legislation is, for the purpose of the TB eradication programme, equivalent to Officially Trade Free (OTF) status withdrawn or status suspended in Directive 64/432/EEC.

To comply with the Directive, the officially tuberculosis-free status of a herd is to remain withdrawn until cleansing and disinfection of the premises and utensils has been completed and all animals over six weeks of age have reacted negatively to at least two consecutive tuberculin tests, the first no less than 60 days and the second no less than four months and no more than 12 months after the removal of the last positive reactor.

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