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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1981

Vol. 330 No. 9

Written Answers. - Animal Diseases.

658.

andMr. J. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the loss sustained by farmers arising from the regulation that following the detection of one doubtful animal in their herds they cannot remove and sell any animal for a considerable time, he will review the regulation.

When a bovine TB test discloses only an inconclusive reactor in a herd a decision is taken by the district veterinary office as to whether, in the interests of disease eradication, the herd should be restricted pending a re-test of the animal in question. In arriving at a decision regard is had to the disease history of the herd, disease incidence in the area and other relevant factors. In only about 20 per cent of such cases is the herd restricted.

I am satisfied that this procedure must be retained if disease-free herds are to be protected and if progress with bovine TB eradication is to be maintained.

659.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the fact that it is generally alleged by farmers that the major factor in the incidence of TB in their herds is infestation of their lands by badgers, he will take action to remove this problem.

In their investigations into the causes of TB breakdowns in individual herds, my Department take account of wildlife, and of badgers in particular, as a possible source of infection. The evidence accumulated up to the present does not support the contention that badgers are a major factor in the spread of bovine TB.

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