Written answers

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Animal Diseases

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1526. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which ongoing efforts continue to be made to identify the sources of bovine TB in certain areas throughout the country; if particular steps have been taken to address issues arising from areas showing the highest level of reported outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41705/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In areas that show a high increase in TB levels the regional veterinary office implement a High Impact TB Control Plan and work with farmers and stakeholders to reduce levels of TB in those areas.  These control plans involve increased focus being brought to bear on the affected areas with increased levels of testing and other control measures being implemented. The increased co-operation and collaboration with local famers and other stakeholders in these areas works to reduce the level of disease in these areas as has been the case recently in the Cavan/Monaghan and Clare areas.

Earlier this year I launched a new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 and one of the key strategic actions included in the strategy is the further development of these plans in consultation with the Implementation Working Group of the TB Stakeholder Forum.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1527. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of bovine TB outbreaks by county in each of the past ten-years to date; the action or research taken with a view to identifying the causes of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41706/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I start off by saying that I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial strain put on farm families by an outbreak of TB and I am committed to driving down TB rates across the country.

The table below details the number of herds experiencing a new restriction, due to bovine TB, since 1st January each year, by county over the past 10 years to date and the number of reactors related to these restrictions.

While TB disease is low relative to historical levels, the number of new restrictions and reactor numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. Although the pace of deterioration accelerated in 2020, there are encouraging signs as the current 12-month rolling herd incidence at 29thAugust 2021 is 4.16% compared to 4.22% on 30thAugust 2020. The overall number of new herds restricted at 29thAugust 2021 is 2,879 compared to 3,033 on 30thAugust 2020 while the overall number of reactors at 29thAugust 2021 is 13,092 compared to 14,431 on 30thAugust 2020. If downward momentum can be maintained, it can give a sense of progress achieved by the renewed TB Strategy launched in January 2021.

The reasons for increase in disease over the last number of years 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.

The causes for the outbreaks of TB cases across the country within each county are various and require a range of actions 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 every outbreak 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.

<a href="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-09-09_pq152709092021_en.xlsx">number of herds experiencing a new restriction, due to bovine TB</a>

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1528. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animals or birds have been identified as potential carriers of bovine TB by county in each of the past five-years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information is being collated and will be returned to the Deputy within two weeks

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1529. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the results of any tests carried out on animals or birds arising from incidents of bovine TB by county over the past five-years to date; the actions taken or pending arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41708/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information is being collated and will be returned to the Deputy within two weeks

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.