Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1040. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the significant increase in TB infection rates over the past year; the measures he will enact to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13458/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following many successful years of reducing bovine TB levels to the benefit of Irish farmers, there has been concerning increases in the disease since 2016. This has continued in 2020 with further increases in herd incidence and reactor numbers observed. Herd incidence (on a 12-month rolling basis) has breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers have exceeded 22,000 – the highest number since 2009. These trends highlight the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to manage the risk more effectively across all transmission routes.

Whilst the immediate trends are disappointing, good progress has been made over the past decade. During 2009, 5,860 herds were subject to restriction whilst the number in 2020 was 4,624.

The reasons for the recent increase are multifactorial and often relate to a combination of national and local factors. The expansion of the dairy herd since 2015 has played a role in this, since dairy herds, larger herds, farm fragmentation and herds which introduce more cattle are all more at risk of TB breakdowns. Wildlife is also a factor.

As a result, a range of actions are required to address the problem. Within each county, the TB programme focuses on wildlife, how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and frequency and isolation of reactors. Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of outbreaks involving two or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herdowner on how to eliminate infection and necessary measures to assist in reducing the risk of recurrence.

I recently launched a new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030. The implementation of this strategy will be overseen by the established TB Forum along with support from three working groups on science, implementation and finance, which will ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. As we are dealing with an infectious disease, the strategy is not set in stone - it is a living document which will be subject to amendment and refinement on an on-going basis. This new TB Strategy is available on www.bovinetb.ie.

At the most recent TB Forum meeting on Thursday 4^thFebruary 2021, it was agreed by all stakeholders that extensive consultation within three working groups will develop a shared understanding of how collectively we can reduce TB incidence along with implementing the new TB Eradication Strategy. My Department remains committed to reducing and ultimately eradicating TB in Ireland as demonstrated by the recent sanctioning of an additional 16 field officers to assist the TB Programme.

Attaining TB-free status remains critical from a farm family profitability and sustainability perspective and from a trade perspective at national and at international level. I am acutely conscious that every TB restriction represents a significant emotional and financial challenge to the farm family concerned.

I will work with all stakeholders in ensuring fewer herdowners experience the challenges associated with a TB restriction.