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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Disease Eradication.

Michael Ring

Question:

4 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of herds affected by tuberculosis and brucellosis for the past three years, on a county by county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25888/99]

I propose to circulate the tuberculosis and brucellosis statistics for the past three years requested by the Deputy in tabular form in the Official Report.

On tuberculosis, it is expected that the number of reactors this year will be about the same as last year when 44,500 reactors were disclosed. These levels are too high. I am particularly concerned at the increase in the number of reactors identified over the past two years. At the same time it should be borne in mind that 99.5% of the country's 7.7 million cattle pass the TB test each year.

Veterinary opinion both here and in the United Kingdom is that TB infected badgers are a major constraint to TB eradication. For this reason I have arranged for the effect of badger removal on TB levels in cattle to be studied in detail. The east Offaly badger removal project has been in place for some time and further research commenced in four area experimental projects in parts of Cork North, Donegal, Kilkenny and Monaghan in 1997. I have also arranged for a number of initiatives in areas where disease levels are particularly high. Herds in these areas are being subjected to a more intensive testing regime in addition to the annual round test of each and every herd.

As regards brucellosis, following a period when the incidence was relatively stable, the position deteriorated from 1996. To address the problem I introduced a series of measures during 1997 and at the beginning of 1998. These included more frequent milk ring testing, annual blood testing of all eligible cattle, a compulsory 30 day pre-movement test and movement restrictions on foot of tests. These measures were retained for 1999 and at the beginning of November 5.24 million blood samples had been tested. In addition, a range of operational/administrative measures were introduced aimed at improving the operation and delivery of the brucellosis eradication programme.

This year I introduced a number of further initiatives, including the screening of cows at factories, improved arrangements in respect of the milk ring test regime, a review of laboratory testing procedures and wider contiguous monitoring of herds. The current regime was reviewed during 1999 by an EU veterinary mission, which broadly endorsed the measures in place and being introduced.

Additional Information.

The full impact of the new measures is still being evaluated but already there are some signs that the position is improving. For example, the testing regime up to 26 November 1999 identified a significantly lower number of laboratory positive animals at 4,421 compared with 6,251 for the same period in 1998. There have also been fewer new herd breakdowns to the end of October 1999 compared with the corresponding period in 1998. Nevertheless, the disease level remains far too high and it is essential that we continue to make rapid further progress and the objective has to be eradication of the disease in the shortest possible timescale. If we properly implement the current arrangements it will be possible to achieve that objective.

The arrangements to be applied from next year onwards for both schemes will be discussed in the animal health forum which is representative of farmer and veterinary interests shortly.

Number of Herds with TB Reactors

Number of Herds with Brucellosis Reactors

County

1996

1997

1998

1996

1997

1998

Carlow

168

127

160

0

0

0

Cavan

475

427

651

6

1

23

Clare

370

303

394

7

10

12

Cork N/E

655

608

636

89#

102

102

Cork S/W

695

598

638

25#

24

79

Donegal

186

149

236

0

2

0

Dublin

63

50

44

2*

2*

3*

Galway

438

388

529

16

21

40

Kerry

391

417

609

123

149

161

Kildare

154

138

164

7**

11**

16**

Kilkenny

448

430

427

14

3

15

Laois

218

166

180

16

30

29

Leitrim

76

116

209

0

1

2

Limerick

417

435

470

122

192

218

Longford

163

169

172

2

1

6

Louth

191

254

239

0

0

1

Mayo

260

245

273

7

20

32

Meath

558

504

550

17

19

29

Monaghan

592

455

698

13

50

42

Offaly

208

166

168

13

28

48

Roscommon

322

331

421

10

19

29

Sligo

145

198

372

4

2

4

Tipp South

306

308

390

62#

31

47

Tipp North

257

210

290

30#

64

105

Waterford

207

193

233

17

10

17

Westmeath

250

223

321

12

18

18

Wexford

408

355

355

17

13

3

Wicklow E

168

136

135

*

*

*

Wicklow W

78

40

91

**

**

**

*Dublin and Wicklow East statistics compiled together.

**Kildare and Wicklow West statistics compiled together.

#Figures for Cork North and Cork South and Tipperary North and Tipperary South are estimated figures based on information obtained from the epidemiological data.

Will the Minister of State agree this is the greatest national scandal since the foundation of the State? In two years there has been a major increase in cases reported to the Department. Has the Minister any plans to address this problem? Does he think the vested interests in this major industry are doing enough about the problem or do they not want it to be resolved? What is happening to farmers is wrong. They are still paying because of this problem and we are no further down the road in terms of addressing it since the foundation of the State. Furthermore, what is the Minister doing about research into the badger problem? How many staff are working on this area in his Department? That problem is getting worse, not better, and it is costing taxpayers and the farming community a fortune.

In relation to what the Deputy said about the cost to the Exchequer, that matter is becoming serious, as I have said often in this House. On a bright note, the Deputy's question is of a statistical nature. I can give him all the statistics now but I would prefer to give them to him after Question Time. On the question of TB, the position at the beginning of the year appeared difficult; there were a large number of breakdowns as against the same period in 1998. The latter end of the year appears fairly progressive with 800 fewer reactors with a marginal increase in the percentage of reactors to the test – 4.1% viz. 4.2%. Both areas are looking brighter.

On the brucellosis front, net restricted herds at 1 December 1999 were 252. The number of reactor animals was 4,421 this year while the number for the same period last year was 6,200. There is a fairly substantial decrease in that area. I do not want to tell the Deputy that everything in the garden is rosy but this represents a favourable trend, small though it may be. It is the first time we have seen a trend in that direction and it is heartening.

I disagree because 4,000 is a massive number of reactors. How can they resolve this problem in the North but we cannot resolve it here? We can put people on the moon but we cannot resolve this problem which is costing the State a fortune. Has the staff dealing with this problem in the Department increased or decreased over the past number of years?

I cannot give the Deputy an answer on staff but I will get the information for him. I did not expect him to raise this question—

I am not talking—

The question of staff is outside the substance of your question, Deputy.

I have no jurisdiction over the North but I am aware there is a high incidence of TB in the UK. The authorities there are alarmed by this and regardless of whether the problem is caused by a wet climate or whatever, it is of concern to the British Ministry of Agriculture. The Deputy might be aware of that from reading press reports. I do not have jurisdiction over that area or any knowledge about it.

All the badgers must come down here from the North.

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