Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Departments policy in relation to depopulating herds for TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52254/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In relation to bovine TB, herd depopulation is not routinely practised. However, full or partial depopulation is considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the situation.

In certain cases where large numbers of reactors in more than one cohort group are disclosed at the breakdown test or subsequent clearance tests, immediate depopulation may be considered. A decision to fully depopulate maybe taken where the level of infection is such, despite repeated tuberculin testing, application of gamma interferon (GIF) testing, ongoing epidemiological assessment, review of testing quality, biosecurity controls and strategic removal of individual animals within the herd, the disease continues to spread.

Following depopulation, the land must not be restocked with bovine animals for a minimum of four months. A herd is required to undertake a comprehensive programme of cleaning and disinfection before restocking is allowed. Following the completion of restocking a post depopulation herd skin test is carried out.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the national cattle herd, if he could provide details as of 1 September 2025 of the number of animals with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 plus and ten plus movements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52256/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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On 1st September 2025 there were 6,620,314 cattle in the national herd. The number of moves per animal was counted and a breakdown is set out in the table below.