Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
1131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of samples that were taken to be tested for TB annually in 2019, 2020 and 2021; the breakdown of the samples taken for testing by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14241/22]
View answer1132. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of samples taken to be tested for TB which came back positive, negative or inconclusive in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14242/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1131 and 1132 together.
The attached table details, per county, the number of bovine TB tests carried out, the number of reactor animals, the number of animals whose test result was inconclusive and the number of animals that tested negative under the Bovine TB Eradication Programme in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
This disease causes untold hardship for farmers and farming families, and my Department, working together with stakeholders and engaging with farmers, are committed to eradicating this disease.
At the start of 2021, I launched a new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030. The implementation of this strategy is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum with support from three working groups on science, implementation and finance to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. We now have the building blocks in place to lower disease incidence and reduce the challenges associated with a TB restriction.
