asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the result of the tests carried out in the Ballycrissance area of Ballinasloe, County Galway on (a) the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle herds and (b) the question of badgers spreading this disease; and when the results of these tests will be published.
Written Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis.
90.
I have been informed by the Director of ERAD that the study referred to is one of a number of studies undertaken under licence from the Wildlife Service to investigate the role of badgers in the spread of TB.
The area in question is one in which a chronic TB problem existed for several years. Extensive veterinary investigations eliminated other possible explanations of the persistence of the problem. From June 1985 to December 1987, 57 badgers trapped in this area were subjected to post mortem examination and 16 were found to be infected with TB. The number of reactor animals removed from that area is as follows, 1985, 72; 1986, 5; 1987, 2 and 1988, Nil (to date). Details of this study have been provided to Professor Robert O'Connor of the ESRI for further analysis as part of the overall review he is currently undertaking for ERAD into research findings on the linkage between the badger and TB spread among cattle.