Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
45. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a pilot scheme in south County Kerry to eliminate tuberculosis in badgers by way of vaccinations and removal of badgers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that the outbreak in South Kerry is largely confined to eight electoral divisions. During 2017, 53 herds in these areas were restricted with a total of 302 reactors removed, 32 of the restrictions followed reactor disclosure at a contiguous herd test.
The first breakdown in the area took place in Autumn 2016 and since then outbreaks have been investigated and managed by my Department in conjunction with the local herdowners and veterinary practitioners.
The TB Eradication Programme incorporates a wildlife strategy since 2004 which includes the removal of badgers from areas where there has been a TB outbreak with evidence of an epidemiological link to badgers. This strategy is informed by considerable scientific evidence of a link between badgers and cattle in the context of the spread of bovine TB. In line with this policy, where badgers are identified as a likely source in County Kerry a survey is carried out and badgers are captured and removed under licence issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This is currently on-going in the South Kerry area.
My Department has recently commenced the vaccination of badgers against tuberculosis as an integral part of the bovine TB eradication programme. This marks a major step forward in the bovine TB eradication programme and follows years of scientific research. The most recent research findings confirm that vaccination of badgers can play a role in reducing the level of infection in cattle whilst protecting the badger population.
The vaccination programme has commenced in the areas which have already been part of the field trials demonstrating the effectiveness of badger vaccination over time, with vaccination gradually replacing the need to continue to remove badgers. It is not recommended that vaccination be used whilst there is an active disease outbreak.
I would also point out that there are other factors that contribute to the spread of tuberculosis which may be contributing to the problem in this area. A significant number of animals are traded locally within the area and the clustering of outbreaks indicates that the contiguous spread between herds is also likely a factor. Farmers in the area are to be congratulated for their efforts to increase biosecurity which will further reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
Finally, while it is too early to formulate any definitive conclusions, early indications are that the situation in South Kerry is showing signs of improvement. The rate of reactor disclosure and herd restrictions has abated. A significant number of herds have recently had one clear test and a smaller number have had their second clear test and are no longer restricted.
