Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Johne’s disease is a chronic enteric disease of cattle and other ruminants, caused by infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). The disease is notifiable in Ireland under S.I. 130 of 2016 concerning the Notification and Control of Diseases affecting Terrestrial Animals.

While my Department does not capture prevalence and distribution figures for Johne’s disease in Ireland, it is regarded as endemic. Animals may be infected for several years but still react negatively to surveillance testing. The consequent economic impact on production is generally dependent on the level of infection within the herd.

A voluntary national programme for Johne’s disease, the Irish Johne’s Control Programme (IJCP), is coordinated and administered by Animal Health Ireland on behalf of industry stakeholders, and is supported by my Department. It is currently open to any herd that has a positive bulk milk screen to enlist.

The objectives of the IJCP are three-fold

• support farmers in keeping their herds clear of Johne’s disease;
• assist farmers with affected herds reduce, and ultimately eliminate infection from their herds, and
• provide assurance to the marketplace in relation to Ireland’s efforts to control Johne’s disease

Johne’s disease education and information resources are available to all herdowners via the Animal Health Ireland website.