Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1059. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no immediate campaign to highlight BVD status changes in herds which was changed on 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9695/21]
View answer1060. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persistently infected animals detected in herds in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9696/21]
View answer1061. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when Ireland will be free of BVD given it was originally a three-year eradication plan and was made compulsory in 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9697/21]
View answer1062. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when compulsory testing for BVD will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9698/21]
View answer1063. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to compensate farmers for the removal of adult persistently infected animals given farmers have to test all animals as a result of such an animal in their herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/21]
View answer1064. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persistently infected animals found after BVD testing of calves in 2020 were slaughtered before 28 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9700/21]
View answer1065. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if persistently infected animals found as a result of testing for BVD in 2020 were slaughtered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9701/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1059 to 1065, inclusive, together.
A key component of the BVD eradication programme is the early identification and removal of persistently infected animals. The primary surveillance system is through tissue tagging of calves. In 2020, 725 animals were disclosed as persistently infected BVD animals. All 725 animals have been disposed of.
Of the 725 animals disclosed as PI in 2020, 616 (85 %) were disposed of within 28 days of the initial positive test. Median interval from test positive to disposal was six days.
My Department provides key supports to this industry-led programme, including financial assistance. The direct financial supports available in 2021 for BEEF HERDS: €220 for beef breed animals removed with a registered date of death on AIM within 10 days of the initial test, reducing to €30 if removed between 11 and 21 days after the initial test and for DAIRY HERDS: Dairy heifers and dairy cross animals: €160 if removed within 10 days of the initial test, reducing to €30 if removed between 11 and 21 days after the initial test. In addition, my Department will fund any required testing and vaccination of animals in any farm restricted
Very significant progress has been made in recent years but I am keen to see BVD eradicated as a matter of urgency. The focus on the programme in 2021 and 2022 is to achieve the status of BVD free as set out the new European Animal Health Law by end of 2022. Compulsory BVD testing may then cease, however it is key that sufficient surveillance must be conducted to ensure we meet the criteria set out to prove continued BVD free status.
Details of the 2021 programme were agreed by the BVD Implementation Group (comprising relevant stakeholders) and publicised as in previous years. My Department issued a press release on the future pathway of the BVD programme in December 2020. Information was released through all channels including through AHI, DAFM, Veterinary Ireland, and through the farming organisations. A full page advertisement was taken out by AHI in the Irish Farmers Journal, and Programme Key messages were distributed to all the farming press by AHI. Hard copies of the Programme Key Messages have been supplied to the tag suppliers to include in any tag delivers to herd owners.
