Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Bovine TB.

Edward Nealon

Question:

340 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in a recent test, a total of 11 out of 13 herds in a very small area near Aclare, County Sligo were found to have T.B. reactors; if it is likely that this outbreak may have been caused by badgers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

341 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether substantial evidence exists to show that tuberculosis infected badgers pose a significant risk of spreading the disease amongst cattle; the plans, if any, he has to tackle the threat of badgers infecting, or re-infecting, herds; the regulations, if any, within his Department for the collection of the carcases of dead badgers; and if he will make a statement on the latest research and other work that has been done in establishing the exact role that the badger is playing in the continuing difficulty with the elimination of bovine T.B.

Edward Nealon

Question:

395 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the extent to which there has been positive identification of badgers in the County Sligo area who are infected with T.B.; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

396 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the practices of his Department, or its agencies, when a badger or badgers in a particular area have been identified as being infected by T.B.; and the steps, if any, which are taken to prevent the infected badger spreading the disease to the cattle herds in the area.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 341, 395 and 396 together.

It is now widely recognised that badgers play a role in the transmission of Bovine TB and there is a growing body of scientific evidence to support this opinion. This view was supported at the Royal Irish Academy Conference on "The Badger" which was held in 1991. In addition, a Review by the Economic and Social Research Institute entitled "Badgers and Bovine TB in Ireland", published in 1989, concluded that in many parts of the country it may not be possible to control bovine TB without controlling the badger population.

With regard to control, badgers are a protected species under the Wildlife Act, 1976, and may only be removed under licence. Where my Department is satisfied that there is a probable link between badgers and an outbreak of bovine TB in cattle application is made to the Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works for a licence to remove badgers for postmortem. Applications are considered in the context of an agreed programme of research aimed at determining what role the badger plays in the transmission of bovine TB. Badgers removed under licence are brought to the most conveniently located veterinary laboratory for post mortem examination and disposal.

There are a number of ongoing research projects including the quantifying of the number of badgers in the country and the incidence of TB in the badger population as well as examination of the extent to which the removal of badgers influences the level of bovine TB. It is planned to commence a feasibility study shortly into the development of a vaccine for use in badgers and possibly other species.

I am aware of the extent of Bovine Tuberculosis in the Aclare area of County Sligo, and I understand that a full disease investigation of the restricted holdings in the locality has been carried out. Herdowners whose herds are restricted are being advised on an ongoing basis by departmental veterinary officials on the measures to be taken to combat infection. A licence to remove badgers from the area was obtained and operated which showed some indication of TB infection in the badger population. However, the nature of the terrain makes the identification of sets difficult and local herdowners have been asked to assist in this regard. The overall position in County Sligo is that of 115 badgers taken for research in 1992, 16.5 per cent were found to have visible TB lesions.

As part of the TB eradication programme high risk herds such as these are subjected to an intensive programme of special check testing. In addition contiguous herds are being continuously monitored.