Many of the cattle herds untested for TB over the past two years don’t actually have any cattle in them, according to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

Responding to a question from Wicklow TD Edward Timmins on the Irish Farmers Journal story which revealed that almost 1,000 cattle herds across Ireland have gone untested for TB in the past two years, Minister Heydon suggested administration errors could be part of the problem.

It is estimated that approximately 480 of the untested cattle herds are controlled finishing units.

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These units follow different TB testing regulations and, therefore, the annual herd test requirement does not apply as it does to the vast majority of cattle farmers.

Untested cattle

On the approximately 520 other cattle herds which have gone untested, Minister Heydon said: “There are some instances where herds do not complete a herd test, including where herds reduce their stock to zero, to send their herds to slaughter, where a new herd number has been issued or herd owners do not comply with bovine TB testing requirements.

“So that is, in many instances here, you have existing herd numbers that don't actually have any animals.”

The Minister said where there are cattle in the herd, the farmer has to comply with the annual TB test requirement.

'Step change'

Defending his approach to control, Minister Heydon said he has led the biggest “step change” in bovine TB eradication in the 75 years that the disease has been on the island.

“My new bovine TB action plan is working, and it's actually proven by the figures as well,” he said.

That's over 500 farm families that aren't locked up right now because of the progress of this plan, and I want to thank farmers for their engagement, the farm organizations who I engaged with for a long time last year over bringing about these changes

He said there has been a 10% reduction in the number of farm families impacted by having restricted herds and having reactor cattle, compared to this time last year.

“That's over 500 farm families that aren't locked up right now because of the progress of this plan, and I want to thank farmers for their engagement, the farm organizations who I engaged with for a long time last year over bringing about these changes,” he said.

Acute issue in Wicklow

Deputy Timmins, a west Wicklow native, said his area has the highest incidence of TB in the country.

“I welcome the progress being made, but we still have a long way to go,” he said. “TB has caused huge financial and mental pressure on many farmers.”

He called on Minister Heydon to address the spread of TB via wildlife, an issue he said was particularly acute in his constituency.

“Deer are a key vector in TB transmission in Wicklow,” deputy Timmins highlighted.

“I believe that it should be mandatory that all deer are tagged when shot, and that all deer are sampled and tested for TB.”