asked the Minister for Agriculture the percentage herd incidence of TB reactors; and the percentage of animals affected at the end-of-year test in each of the years 1978, 1979 and 1980.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - TB Reactors
21.
Annual round testing of cattle for bovine TB is not undertaken on a calendar year basis. The TB herd incidences for the test periods approximating to the years in question were as follows:
|
1978/79 round |
3.95 per cent |
|
1979/80 round |
2.94 per cent |
|
1980/81 round (latest figure) 2.47 percent |
The TB reactor animal incidences for those rounds were 0.25 per cent, 0.19 per cent and 0.17 per cent respectively.
Progress on eradicating TB seems rather slow. Is the Minister satisfied with the present regulations.
I am happy to say that progress is reported and there is general confidence among all concerned in eradication of the disease. Naturally we would like to see greater progress. Is the Deputy suggesting that further measures should be taken in this matter? All of us appreciate the difficulties and hardship experienced by farmers at present: they do not particularly like the 30-day test or the pre-movement tests from the point of view of convenience or cost. We will progress in the way we are doing now. The three-year review is due for discussion this year and I hope we will be able to work out details that will not cause as much hardship to the farmers while making progress to eliminate the disease.
Is the Minister considering increasing the compensation?
That is a separate question.