Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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587. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle sold through livestock marts in County Cork that were subsequently slaughtered within 20 days; the number that were not subsequently slaughtered within 20 days, for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29750/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The total number of cattle sales in 2023 through livestock marts in County Cork was 198,091. These sales related to 193,054 individual animals (some of these animals moved through livestock marts more than once).

Of the 193,054 individual cattle traded through livestock marts in County Cork 20,322 were slaughtered within 20 days of being sold at the mart. The remainder typically would have moved to farms for production, been slaughtered at a later date or exported.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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588. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of herds currently restricted for TB in County Cork in which cattle were purchased in the previous two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29751/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am committed to making real progress in controlling TB as I am aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown for farmers.

The table below outlines the number of herds restricted for TB in which cattle were moved into those herds in the previous two years prior to the date of restriction of those herds in County Cork. Note this refers to cattle moved in which could include both purchasing of cattle and the movement of contract reared animals.

Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme is guided by 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 infected cattle with undetected infection.
• residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB.
• spread across farm boundaries from infected cattle to uninfected cattle.
• indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches, and/or
• spread from infected badgers to uninfected cattle.