Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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50. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expand the use of the gamma interferon test to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60284/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The gamma interferon test is a valuable tool for detecting TB infection in cattle. It has been widely used as a core part of the TB eradication programme in Ireland since 2015, following many years of research and testing in specific problem herds.

As with tests for many other diseases, none of the tests currently available allow a perfectly accurate determination of the M. bovis infection status of cattle.

The single intradermal comparative tuberculin skin test is universally regarded as the best screening test in a general population of animals. However, in a group of animals where TB infection is known to be present, the gamma interferon test is used because it detects infection at an earlier stage; in other words, it has higher 'sensitivity' than the skin test. When used alongside the skin test, the gamma interferon blood test can help to resolve TB problems in a herd more quickly by identifying cattle at an early stage, before they can spread infection onwards.

However, the gamma interferon test is not suitable for use as a general screening test in the way the skin test is used, because it has lower 'specificity'. Using it in herds not thought to be TB-infected would result in more false positive results.

The gamma interferon test is used as standard in herds that have experienced a significant TB breakdown (for example, five or more reactors, 5% of the herd, or where necessary on epidemiological grounds). The gamma interferon test is also used as a quality control measure on skin test reactors.

Under the new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy, the gamma interferon test is used to reduce the risk posed by animals that yield inconclusive results to the skin test. Other policies being developed under the TB Eradication Strategy, focusing on herds with chronic or recurrent TB problems, will also use the gamma interferon test as appropriate.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of poultry stock that have been culled as a result of the presence of bird flu H5N1 subtype following a recent outbreak per affected flock in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60782/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in three flocks in the Castleblaney area of County Monaghan.

- The first outbreak in a turkey flock on 20^thNovember.

- The second in a broiler breeder flock on 24^thNovember.

- The third in an egg laying flock on 1st December.

The first two flocks were depopulated last week and depopulation of the third flock is nearing completion .

A fourth commercial flock was confirmed with H5N1 earlier this week, this is a turkey flock located in County Cavan. Further testing is being carried out to determine pathogenicity but it is expected to be HPAI H5N1. It too will be depopulated.

These depopulations are being undertaken to reduce the risk of spread in what is high density poultry area. For GRPR reasons, it is not possible to provide details of the number of birds culled in each flock, but numbers across the three flocks are of the order of 150,000 birds.

My Department has been working to mitigate the risk of spread of the disease through the establishment of 10km restriction zones around the infected premises. This places additional controls on the movement of poultry and poultry products within the zones.

Movements into and out of the zones are also subject to licensing. Additional surveillance measures also apply within the restriction zones.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that no human infections with this strain of the virus have been reported in Europe and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low. In addition, there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of properly cooked poultry products.

I urge all keepers of poultry or captive birds, big or small, to apply stringent biosecurity measures, including housing or confinement of birds. This is vital to mitigate risk and protect poultry flocks across the island.

We are working closely with the industry and with their colleagues in Northern Ireland in an effort to contain this virus. Any suspicion of disease should be reported immediately to my Departments’ local veterinary offices.