Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
593. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the project timeline with measurable deliverables with regard to the badger culling programme and badger vaccination programme under the TB Eradication Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/23]
View answerUnder the TB Eradication Programme badger vaccination is being substituted for continued culling of badgers such that a significant reduction in the numbers of badgers culled can be achieved over the coming years while still maintaining effective control of the risk posed to other species. The intention is to gradually reduce badger culling per annum in tandem with the badger vaccination programme.
The large-scale rollout of badger vaccination commenced in late 2019. Every year more and more of the countryside is designated as vaccination zones. This is reflected in the numbers of badgers captured for vaccination in these zones rising from an initial figure of 1,937 badgers in 2019, to 4,698 badgers in 2020. This figure rose again in 2021 to 6,586 badgers, with a further 7,244 badgers captured for vaccination in 2022. Research has shown that population penetration of the badger population with the vaccine needs to exceed 50% to be effective. The badger is a secretive, nocturnal wild animal. This makes it difficult to accurately estimate the badger population in Ireland. This in turn makes it difficult for my Department to give a precise timeline on this project. Work is ongoing to accurately estimate the current badger population numbers.
