asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of a serious outbreak of bovine TB in a large number of herds in the Scarriff area of County Clare; if he will pay increased compensation for the animals involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Clare Bovine TB Outbreak.
534.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Killuran area of east Clare which has had a particularly bad record of TB infection over the past few years. Due to local conditions, such as mountainous terrain, fragmented holdings and totally inadequate fencing, it has proved extremely difficult to clear up this outbreak. My Department's local district veterinary office is tackling the outbreak by a marked intensification of normal testing measures with particular emphasis on herds contiguous to those where reactors have been disclosed.
While the outbreak is a cause for concern, the present serious Exchequer situation rules out the possibility of any increase in existing compensation levels for infected animals in this area.