Healy-Rae’s claim TB is linked to deer rejected

Claims that protected, wild deer are carriers of TB, which affects cattle, have been rejected by the Department of Agriculture.

Calling for action to deal with roaming deer, Independent Kerry county councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said that, as reputed TB carriers, deer posed a threat to farmers’ livelihoods.

He said while the incidence of TB in cattle had fallen nationally, it has risen 10-fold in parts of Kerry.