Deer suspicion in Clare TB outbreak

DEER have come under suspicion among farmers hit by an increase in bovine TB infection in Co Clare.

They say the rise in the disease over the past year has coincided with a noticeable increase in the prevalence of deer in the county, associated in turn with increased afforestation.

Clare IFA chairman Seamus Murphy recently requested, during a meeting of the IFA National Council, that more deer be tested to check for any link with the rise in bovine TB.