Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.

Denis Naughten

Question:

272 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of tuberculosis reactors found in the cattle herd; the number of these reactors which were subsequently found to have lesions in each of the years from 1997 to date; the reason for the discrepancy in the figures between those with and without lesions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21794/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The numbers of TB reactors disclosed are as follows:

	1997	1998	1999 (to date)
Reactors:	28,647	44,498	33,217
Lesion Rate:	30%	27%	28.3% (Reportedto date)

The definitive legal test for bovine tuberculosis under EU legislation is the single intradermal tuberculin test and animals that fail this test are punched and tagged as reactor animals and removed for slaughter. The fact that an animal does not show visible lesions on slaughter does not mean that TB is not present. Research has shown that if detailed post-mortem procedures, including histopathological examination and culture of multiple glands and organs, were carried out, most reactors would be confirmed with tuberculosis. However, the expense of these extra tests would far exceed the benefit of the knowledge obtained.