Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
868. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will take to ensure that there is not a conflict between the requirements contained in recent letters being sent to farmers regarding TB and their requirements pursuant to the beef genomics scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24344/20]
View answerThere are no requirements whatsoever resulting from the recent TB letters. The objective of TB Herd Test History Statements and Reports that issued recently to all cattle herd owners is to help them to reduce the risk of Bovine TB in their herds.
The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. Against this background, the Department developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce risk of TB. It is advice which they can choose to take, as soon as is practical for them, if they wish to reduce the risk of their herd to TB. My Department bases its policy and advice on the science - there is a large body of independent robust scientific research on how TB infects cattle, which must continue to be the basis of disease policy and advice. It is by acknowledging the science of how TB spreads between cattle that will help us eradicate this disease.
The information provided in TB Herd History risk reports does not conflict with Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) whose objective is
- To lower the intensity of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by improving quality and efficiency on national beef herd.
- Improve the genetic merit of the national beef herd through collection of data and genotypes of selected animals which will allow for genomic selection in the beef herd.
Farmers may choose to exit the BDGP I at the end of 2020 and make their own decisions regarding their breeding stock.
My Department is aiming to improve both our National Bovine Herd TB Disease situation along with our greenhouse gas emissions and genetic merit.
