Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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900. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal diseases such as bovine tuberculosis continue to be eliminated in a meaningful way; the extent to which any breakdowns have occurred by region; the efforts being made to identify the causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a serious disease of cattle which causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families, and I am fully committed to the objectives of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy, which aims to reduce and ultimately eradicate this disease in Ireland.

While the incidence of bTB is now low relative to historical levels, the number of new restrictions and reactor numbers gradually increased between 2016 and the end of 2020. There were encouraging signs in 2021, as bTB levels were lower than in 2020, with fewer reactors and a lower herd incidence. Herd incidence at end of 2021 was 4.34% compared to 4.38% at end of 2020.

The table below details the number of herds experiencing a new restriction due to bTB, since 1st January each year, by county over the past 5 years to date, and the number of reactors related to these restrictions .

The reasons for increase in disease over the last number of years often relate to a combination of national and local factors. 

The expansion of the dairy herd since 2015 has had an impact on bTB levels since dairy herds, larger herds, fragmented farms, and herds that buy in cattle are all more at risk of bTB breakdown. Wildlife can also be a factor.

The causes of bTB outbreaks are complex, and can vary from area to area, requiring a range of actions to address the problem. My Department's policy Divisions are supported by the 16 Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, each of which prioritises bTB management.

The bTB programme in each county focuses on factors including wildlife, how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal of reactors.  Each bTB 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 measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Emphasis is placed on biosecurity measures a farmer can take to reduce risks on his or her farm, and when buying in animals.

In an area that show a significant increase in bTB levels, the Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) implements a High Impact bTB Control Plan and works with farmers and other stakeholders to reduce levels of bTB in those areas.  These control plans involve increased levels of testing and other control measures. Intensified co-operation and collaboration with local famers and other stakeholders in these areas helps to reduce the level of disease.

In 2021, I launched a new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030. Implementation is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum with support from three working groups on science, implementation and finance to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed.  We now have the building blocks in place to lower disease incidence and reduce the challenges associated with a bTB restriction.

Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme operates in line with best national and international scientific research and advice. A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of bTB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principle causes of bTB introduction and spread include:

movement of cattle with undetected infection;

residual infection in cattle previously exposed to bTB, but not identified at time of test;

spread across farm boundaries;

indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches, and/or

spread from infected badgers to cattle.

This research has recently been reviewed in its entirety for the Bovine TB Stakeholder Forum by its Scientific Working Group, which comprises a panel of internationally recognised experts in bTB research.

The details of the new TB Strategy along with the results of the review are available on www.bovinetb.ie.