Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
379. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to carry out a badger cull in the Annaghdown/Claregalway/Corrandulla area of Galway as a result of an outbreak of bovine TB in the general area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11004/14]
View answerThe TB Eradication Scheme contains a wildlife strategy implemented under licence from and in co-operation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Where an epidemiological investigation on restricted holdings rules out other immediate causes as the source of TB infection and where evidence of badger activity has been found, they may be captured under license granted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in accordance with the terms of the 1976 Wildlife Act (as amended).
A licence for badger removal has been granted in the area referred to and capture of badgers will, where deemed appropriate on the basis of a detailed survey, be undertaken in accordance with established protocols.
