Progress in TB scheme but FVO team finds faults
Herd incidence fell from 7.53% in 2000 to 4.65% last year, and the 20,211 reactors in 2010 was the lowest recorded since the commencement of the programme in the 1950s.
However, the Department of Agriculture has committed to review, amend, or update a number of eradication procedures, following recommendations made by an EU Food and Veterinary Office team which was in Ireland last November to evaluate bovine TB controls.
They questioned the exemption from some eradication measures of about 210 herds from which cattle move only to slaughter, saying the risk they represent for environmental contamination is not adequately addressed. In these feedlot herds, if a reactor is identified their TB status is kept as withdrawn, and all manure and slurry must be stored on the holding for at least two months before spreading. The keeper is responsible for the disposal of any reactor, but no removal deadline is set. The herds are not restricted in respect of the cattle they may receive, but they can only send cattle to slaughter. At least one reactor re-test per year is required.
These herds may be housed or grazing. In the latter case, boundaries must prevent direct contact with contiguous cattle. EU inspectors checked the authorisation file of one such feedlot herd, which consisted of seven separate fragments of land, in three very separate locations, totalling more than 200 hectares. The keeper was also registered as a dealer. Inspectors found no provision was made to prevent contact of dealer and feedlot cattle.
In its response, the Department was satisfied that the eradication programme is not compromised by movements of animals permitted into the small proportion of the 210 fattening/feedlot herds that might be restricted for TB.
EU inspectors said the approved TB programme is largely applied, but there was .a lot of leeway at local level which resulted in derogations for not testing some animals or allowing movements between restricted herds, and such derogations were not monitored or sufficiently controlled from the higher level.
They said measures to prevent infection of and from the environment (cleaning and disinfection, manure and slurry, transport of animals) are given insufficient attention, and are not in line with EU requirements.
The system for certification of bovine animals for intra-EU trade does not ensure that all relevant checks are performed, said inspectors.
Co-ordination with authorities in charge of public health was insufficiently developed for low capacity slaughterhouses, and dairy establishments selling raw milk products. Deficiencies were found in the approval of one dealer indicating a low level of attention to this category.
