Heydon defends DAFM's strategy for tackling TB
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has outlined the reasons that his department captures badgers in areas where "serious outbreaks of TB have been identified" and a veterinary inspector has found that badgers are "the likely source on inspection".
Minister Heydon was responding to a parliamentary question from People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, Paul Murphy this week (June 10).
Deputy Murphy asked the minister if he will bring an end to the culling of badgers by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) "in light of scientific evidence that it is ineffective in reducing TB levels in cattle".
In response Minister Heydon said: "Bovine tuberculosis is a challenging disease to control and eradicate due to several factors.
"Ireland's bovine TB eradication programme operates in line with best national and international scientific research and advice.
A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of TB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission," Minister Heydon added.
According to the minister, the research has found that the principal causes of TB introduction and spread include:
- Movement of cattle with undetected infection.
- Residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB.
- Spread across farm boundaries.
- Indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches.
- Spread from infected badgers to cattle.
The minister believes that the relative contributions of each of these factors will vary from farm to farm.
Minister Heydon said: "Ireland’s current TB eradication programme necessarily incorporates a wildlife strategy which includes the removal of badgers from areas where there has been a TB outbreak.
"Such a requirement arises as tuberculosis is present both in cattle and in badgers and both species share the same environment, and the same strains of TB. The current policy was introduced in response to research conducted over many years by the department.
"Research carried out in Ireland demonstrates that TB levels in badgers are highest in areas where TB levels in cattle are highest and that the targeted removal of badgers in such areas contributes to a reduction in the incidence of TB," Minister Heydon added.
The minister also highlighted that badgers are protected by national legislation, and are listed within the Berne convention.
This legislation outlines that local populations of badgers cannot be exterminated, and that badger habitats cannot be destroyed.
"Badgers are captured under license, issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage," Minister Heydon said.
"My department’s wildlife programme comprises a combination of vaccination and culling, depending on the circumstances," he added.
