Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
1257. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations that govern whether a person will receive reimbursement for a TB test; if tests must be completed in a given timeframe of notification; the primary or secondary legislation that underpins such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54286/22]
View answerUnder S.I. 58 of 2015 Animal Health and Welfare (Bovine Tuberculosis Regulations 2015), Regulation 4, keepers and herdowners are legally obliged to co-operate with a direction to present animals for testing, including the date by which the animals must be tested.
In addition, this Regulation states that the keeper or herdowner shall be liable for all costs relating to testing unless otherwise determined by me. Over years, the overarching arrangements have been that the keeper/herdowner pays for one herd test annually whilst the Department pays for any other herd test deemed necessary during the course of the year, provided that the keeper/herd owner arranges for the test to be completed within a certain timeframe of notification.
Bovine TB is a challenging disease to control and eradicate and its transmission is multifactorial. As part of the TB forum, my officials are working in collaboration with farming organisations, veterinarians, scientists and the agri-food sector.
The TB eradication strategy is currently being implemented. Herd incidence has reduced to 4.10% as of 23rd October 2022 from 4.33% at the end of 2021. This steady decline is welcome, but it continues to highlight the need of urgent action by all stakeholders.
