Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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764. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the effectiveness of the TB programme in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48504/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am confident that the implementation of the TB programme in Roscommon is effective and it compares well when compared to the rest of the country. As the Deputy is aware, TB breakdowns are difficult for farmers and farm families and the TB programme aims to minimise the impact of TB on farm families.

The current herd incidence for bovine TB in Roscommon is 2.32% as compared to the National herd incidence of 4.14%. For 2021 the annual herd incidence was 2.81% in Roscommon as compared to the national 4.33%. This was the third lowest TB incidence in the country. The herd incidence in Roscommon has fallen from 4.65% to 2.81% in the last 10 years despite herd size increasing over the same period. The primary routes of introduction or persistence of infection in herds are from spread within the herd from previous breakdowns, spread from wildlife or spread through animal movements. These are primarily addressed through herd restrictions, enhanced use of novel blood tests such as gamma interferon, implementation of the wildlife programme and trace animal testing.

The combined efforts of all stakeholders in the TB programme in Roscommon is making an effective contribution towards the continued reduction in TB levels in Roscommon.