I propose to take Questions Nos. 1209, 1211 and 1219 together.
I, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have ultimate responsibility for the development and implementation of the bovine TB eradication programme. In doing so I am supported, in my Department, by the ERAD, Ruminant Animal Health Divisions and by the 16 Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country whose work is overseen by 2 Area Management Teams.
Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme is in line with best national and international scientific research and advice. A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of bovine TB (bTB) in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principle causes of bTB spread include the movement of cattle with undetected infection, residual infection in cattle previously exposed to bTB, but not identified at that point as being infected, spread across farm boundaries, indirect spread through biosecurity breaches, and spread from infected badgers into cattle. This research has recently been reviewed in its entirety for the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum by its Scientific Working Group which is composed of a panel of internationally recognised experts in bTB research. The results of that review are available on gov.ie - TB Forum (www.gov.ie).
The Deputy raised earlier PQs (PQ41707/21 & PQ41708/21) regarding the full extent of testing, the replies to which are now attached. The scientific opinion from the Scientific Working Group concludes that the bTB programme should address, at both national and local levels, all relevant sources of transmission of bTB to cattle. Current relevant sources include all cattle sources that substantially contribute to herd infection, and all wildlife that are maintenance hosts, and particularly those with spillback to cattle. The Scientific Working Group concludes that:
o badgers do contribute to bTB in cattle in Ireland, which is addressed through my Departments badger vaccination and culling programmes operated under licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service;
o deer-to-cattle spread is only likely to occur to any meaningful extent in Co Wicklow. My Department supports deer control by advising farmers to manage deer populations on their land, including through culling where necessary and by providing free testing of deer for bTB through the Regional Veterinary Laboratory network.
The bacteria, which causes bTB in cattle and badgers, can cause TB in humans but it is responsible for approximately 1-4% of human infections. In general, there are c.300-400 cases of human TB in Ireland annually, less than 10 of which are caused by the bacteria associated with bTB. Some may be associated with drinking unpasteurised milk but bTB infection in milk is rare because the Programme identifies and removes infected cattle. Additional surveillance is carried out though checks at post-mortem examination of all slaughtered cattle in Ireland. The programme is successful in minimising the threat to human health from bTB through early identification of infection and removal of exposed animals. Further reductions in bTB, envisaged by the implementation of the recommendations of the TB Stakeholder Forum through the new strategy which I introduced this year, will result in ongoing reduction of exposure to human health from the current very low levels. The strategy is available at www.bovinetb.ie
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