No evidence of TB from deer, says Minister Coveney

Fears that deer in Co Kerry are responsible for transmission of TB to cattle have been allayed by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

He said samples from four deer have been submitted, through his department’s regional veterinary laboratories, as TB suspects, since January 2011.

TB was not confirmed in any of these. “My department, therefore, has no recent evidence to substantiate claims.” said Mr Coveney, responding to Michael Healy-Rae, TD, in the Dail.