Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bovine Disease Controls.

Billy Timmins

Question:

72 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the surveys, if any, his Department has carried out on wildlife in counties Wicklow and Carlow since 1 January 1996; and, if so, the results of these surveys. [23280/98]

Billy Timmins

Question:

76 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, his Department has taken to assist in the eradication of tuberculosis in certain areas of counties Wicklow and Carlow. [23284/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 76 together.

The 1998 TB programme in counties Carlow and Wicklow is proceeding with an emphasis on efficient management of the eradication programme, with complete and orderly rounds of testing and other follow up testing designed to make inroads into the residual disease incidence level. Unfortunately, the rate of disclosure of TB reactors is higher this year than in recent years.

Research projects including the specialised work of the TB investigation unit are continuing with the aim of providing new technologies required to eradicate TB. The research is focused in particular on the role of the badger as well as establishing the best possible information on the causes of the disease spread.

Where serious TB breakdowns occur the possible involvement of wildlife is investigated and licences to snare badgers are sought where appropriate. During the deer culling season my Department endeavours to recover organs from the culled deer to be sent for analysis for TB. Presently, a cull of deer is ongoing and appropriate organs are being collected for later examination in the veterinary research laboratory. Samples from over 50 deer in Wicklow have been taken and this figure is being added to by a more focused sampling in bad areas during the shooting season. Preliminary indications are that there is some level of TB infection in the deer population.

In view of the TB situation in County Wicklow, a special programme is in place in east Wicklow whereby herds are tested in six-monthly intervals rather than at annual intervals.

As regards badger surveys, the position is that 36 licences have been approved for counties Carlow and Wicklow since 1 January 1996 and the percentages of badgers which were positive on post mortem were 19.63 per cent and 7.27 per cent respectively for each county.