Vol. 552 No. 2
29 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself with the progress to date of the bovine tuberculosis eradication programme; the cost of the scheme to date in current monetary terms; and his further proposals in this regard. [11909/02]
The initial policy when the TB scheme was introduced in 1954 was to eradicate bovine TB from cattle herds and this still remains the objective. Significant progress was made in the earlier stages of the scheme but the progress has stalled, albeit at a relatively low level of the disease. However, given the experience of the past 30 years, there is a recognition that incidence of the disease in wildlife is a major impediment and further technological advances are needed to achieve further progress. Important short-term objectives are to ensure that the incidence of the disease is reduced to the minimum level attainable so markets, particularly export markets, are not jeopardised and there is no serious threat to human health.
A package of measures was agreed in the context of the PPF with the objective of reducing the incidence of TB by 50% over the four years of the programme. The numbers of reactors being disclosed has been declining since 1999 and this downward trend continued in 2001. The 2001 number of TB reactor animals, at less than 34,000, represents a decrease of 15% and 24% respectively on the corresponding figures for 2000 and 1999. The combined gross expenditure at current cost of the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes, launched in 1954 and 1966 respectively, was €1.275 billion up to the end of 2001, excluding administration costs. It is impossible to break down the cost of each scheme as the majority of TB and brucellosis tests are undertaken simultaneously. In assessing expenditure on the TB eradication scheme, I refer to the results of a cost benefit study undertaken in 1991 covering the period from 1954 until the establishment of ERAD in 1988. According to the study, the total quantified benefits, not including human health benefits, were estimated to amount to 7% of total cattle and milk output in 1988. The minimum benefits of the scheme were estimated to have exceeded costs by 86% and the rate of return was calculated at 15.5%. The study suggested that the scheme was highly beneficial for the economy.
