Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2021
73. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of bovine animals found to have failed the TB eradication test in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of both the dairy herd and the beef herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60631/21]
View answerThe number of Dairy herd reactor animals is 8,837 for the year 2019, 12,440 for the year 2020 and 11,502 up to 6th December for the year 2021.
The number of Suckler herd reactor animals is 5,894 for the year 2019, 7,275 for the year 2020 and 5,816 up to 6th December for the year 2021.
The number of Beef herd reactor animals is 1,989 for the year 2019, 2,332 for the year 2020 and 1,829 up to 6th December for the year 2021.
The number of Other herd reactor animals is 347 for the year 2019, 515 for the year 2020 and 471 up to 6th December for the year 2021.
The overall total in respect of reactor numbers is 17,067 for the year 2019, 22,562 for the year 2020 and 19,618 up to 6th December for the year 2021.
Herd incidence has risen every year between 2016 and 2020. This disease causes untold hardship for farmers and farming families, and although the challenge is serious my Department, working together with stakeholders and engaging with farmers are committed to eradicating this disease.
Earlier this year, I launched a new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030. The implementation of this strategy is overseen by the TB Stakeholder Forum with support from three new working groups on science, implementation and finance to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed.
As part of my on-going commitment to eradicating this disease, I have sanctioned an additional €1m in funding for the wildlife programme which is an integral element of the overall programme. There are positive indications of progress with the TB situation for 2021 likely to represent an improvement compared to 2020 and, working together, we can build on that momentum.
