Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1102. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if intensive agriculture and larger herd sizes have increased TB rates in cattle, the measures he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29397/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Bovine Tuberculosis is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am very aware of the financial and emotional trauma of a TB breakdown for farmers and their families. This disease will impact many more farm families if left unchecked, and therefore it is essential that we take measures now that can reverse the current trends.

Ireland's current 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 bTB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principal causes of bTB 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.

At this meeting I presented 5 key pillars and 30 actions to address the current rates of bTB:

1. Support herds free of bTB to remain free
2. Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
3. Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a TB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
4. Help farmers improve all areas of on farm biosecurity
5. Reduce the impact of known high risk animals in spreading bTB

I hope to achieve a broad consensus to these proposals and I intend to move quickly to refine the programme and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to reduce the impact of this disease on farmers and their families.

I will ensure that any measures adopted are based on the best scientific and veterinary advice. Through strong leadership by all involved in the programme and by working together we can take the necessary measures to protect farmers livelihoods from bTB.