Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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311. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the annual badger population figures for Ireland in each of years 2018 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20333/23]

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the badger population vaccinated in each of the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20334/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.

The large-scale rollout of badger vaccination commenced in late 2019. Every year more and more of the countryside is designated as vaccination zones.

This is reflected in the numbers of badgers captured for vaccination in these zones rising from an initial figure of 1,937 badgers in 2019, to 4,698 badgers in 2020. This figure rose again in 2021 to 6,586 badgers, with a further 7,244 badgers captured for vaccination in 2022.

Table 1: The number of badgers captured under the badger vaccination programme from 2019 to 2022

Estimated badger populations have been suggested by research conducted by the NPWS and other scientific investigations. Unfortunately, there is a wide variation in estimates for the size of the badger population in Ireland.

A recent study in 2021 suggested that the mean estimated population size was 92,096 badgers (5–95th percentile, 67,188–118,881). While a previous study carried out by the NPWS, 1995, suggested a badger population of 200,000 animals.

The wide variation in badger population estimate is most likely due to several factors. The badger itself is a highly secretive and nocturnal mammal making direct sightings and individual population counting impractical. Methods of population estimate include indirect wildlife modelling techniques. Badger sett identification is an important element of an estimated population count. Typically, a mean average group size within the sett is determined depending on habitat quality.

Unfortunately, with such a wide variation in the estimated badger population figures, it is difficult to offer a percentage of vaccinated badgers in relation to the total population, with any degree of accuracy.

The badger vaccination programme is operated by badger vaccination teams that work on a geographical area. The vaccination areas continue to expand, so that an increasing number of badgers are captured and vaccinated under the programme. Within the vaccination areas, two badger sweeps are conducted each year. This is to ensure that we capture and vaccinate as many badgers as possible within each area.

The badger vaccination programme is dependent on finding badger setts and the vaccination of badgers from within these setts. It is therefore hugely important that farmers assist my Department and report any badger activity or badger setts on their farms. My Department have developed the Badger Activity App available to download from www.bovinetb.ie which enables farmers to notify the department about badger setts and badger activity on their farms. Badger sett notification by farmers and landowners will enable the Department to effectively vaccinate even more badgers throughout the country.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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313. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the herd incidence of bovine tuberculosis in each of the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20335/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The table below displays bovine TB Herd Incidence levels for each of the years 2018 to 2022.

While the incidence of bTB is low relative to historical levels, the number of new restrictions and reactor numbers have gradually increased slightly over the last few years. Our TB herd incidence level for 2022 has improved slightly with a decrease from the previous year 4.33% to 4.31%.

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 TB programme in each county focuses on factors including wildlife, residual or introduced infection, how disease is distributed in the area, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal 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 measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Emphasis is placed on the biosecurity measures a herdowner can take to reduce risks on their farm, and when buying in animals.

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 TB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principal causes of TB introduction and spread include:

• movement of cattle with undetected infection.
• residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB.
• spread across farm boundaries.
• indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches, and/or
• spread from infected badgers to cattle.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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314. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the target of 2030 to reach eradication of bovine tuberculosis remains realistic and achievable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20336/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2018 as part of the Government’s enhanced commitment to eradicate bovine TB by 2030, a bTB Stakeholder Forum was established tasked with proposing policies to help achieve eradication within this timeframe. Following detailed discussions informed by available scientific evidence and stakeholder perspectives, the Forum reached agreement on recommending a selection of policy options which should have a significant impact on the reduction of bTB in the years ahead.

As a result, in January 2021, I launched a new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030. The implementation of this strategy is 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

It has been agreed by all stakeholders within TB Forum 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. I remain fully committed to reducing and, ultimately, eradicating TB in Ireland.

Most actions set out under the current TB strategy have either been implemented or are advancing well towards implementation. To make substantial further progress on TB in the 2023-2025 period, additional steps to build on the current strategy will be needed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum has recently agreed to implement further actions and discussions are on-going on the implementation of these actions.

I am committed to reducing TB incidence rates across the country. We have made good strides since I launched the new TB Strategy in 2021 with all stakeholders working collectively and collegiately to reduce TB rates. Our TB herd incidence level for 2022 has improved slightly with a decrease from the previous year 4.33% to 4.31%. We must keep this going with the ultimate aim of eradicating TB from the herd.

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 and that the target of achieving TB eradication by 2030 is achieved.