Vol. 548 No. 4
63 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of cattle which tested positive for tuberculosis in 2001; the percentage of these which revealed visible lesions on routine post-mortem analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4116/02]
While the final verified statistics are not yet available it is likely that the total number of reactors will be just under 34,000, compared with a figure of 39,847 in 2000. A total of 23% of these revealed visible lesions on routine post-mortem analysis.
Not all TB lesions are revealed at routine post-mortem analysis. Research available to my Department shows that a more detailed analysis, using laboratory techniques, is needed to reveal the true rate.
