A sudden and severe TB outbreak on the Iveragh Peninsula in Co Kerry has devastated the small number of farmers affected.
In 2017, 366 reactor animals were removed on the peninsula and 75 herds were restricted.
Some farmers lost dozens of animals, while others are keeping much higher stock numbers than they planned to.
Farmers, Department officials and vets are now working together to bring the outbreak under control.
“The Department acknowledges the concerns and fully understands the stress associated with disease events on farm,” a Department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Department veterinary inspectors are currently investigating and responding to the outbreak.”
Their evidence gathered to date supports the view that badgers have contributed to the spread of the TB
“Badger capturing is now taking place to reduce the badger density in this area, which had not previously been subject to capture and has not experienced this type of outbreak in recent times.
“A further contributory factor in the area is the number of herd fragments which aids the spread of the disease. There is no evidence of any deer involvement in this outbreak at this time.”
The Department of Agriculture has outlined the action it is taking to control the outbreak:
1. All herds with more than two reactors are visited by a veterinary inspector from the Department, who carries out an epidemiological investigation with view of attributing the breakdown to a cause. 2. All reactors are blood-sampled for quality control purposes. 3. In reactor herds, clear animals that are considered to be at high risk of infection are identified and are subjected to a diagnostic blood testing programme. 4. Contiguous (neighbouring) holdings are identified and tested as required. 5. Where the opinion of the veterinary inspector is that the infection is a more chronic nature, herds may be subjected to further diagnostic tests. 6. Where badgers are identified as the source, a survey is carried out and badgers captured and removed. Read more
Proposal to show TB status on mart boards
Empty tags cost farmers €240,000
No boat for calves approved yet
A sudden and severe TB outbreak on the Iveragh Peninsula in Co Kerry has devastated the small number of farmers affected.
In 2017, 366 reactor animals were removed on the peninsula and 75 herds were restricted.
Some farmers lost dozens of animals, while others are keeping much higher stock numbers than they planned to.
Farmers, Department officials and vets are now working together to bring the outbreak under control.
“The Department acknowledges the concerns and fully understands the stress associated with disease events on farm,” a Department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Department veterinary inspectors are currently investigating and responding to the outbreak.”
Their evidence gathered to date supports the view that badgers have contributed to the spread of the TB
“Badger capturing is now taking place to reduce the badger density in this area, which had not previously been subject to capture and has not experienced this type of outbreak in recent times.
“A further contributory factor in the area is the number of herd fragments which aids the spread of the disease. There is no evidence of any deer involvement in this outbreak at this time.”
The Department of Agriculture has outlined the action it is taking to control the outbreak:
1. All herds with more than two reactors are visited by a veterinary inspector from the Department, who carries out an epidemiological investigation with view of attributing the breakdown to a cause. 2. All reactors are blood-sampled for quality control purposes. 3. In reactor herds, clear animals that are considered to be at high risk of infection are identified and are subjected to a diagnostic blood testing programme. 4. Contiguous (neighbouring) holdings are identified and tested as required. 5. Where the opinion of the veterinary inspector is that the infection is a more chronic nature, herds may be subjected to further diagnostic tests. 6. Where badgers are identified as the source, a survey is carried out and badgers captured and removed. Read more
Proposal to show TB status on mart boards
Empty tags cost farmers €240,000
No boat for calves approved yet
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