Research into regional disease incidence
A Deputy asked why TB and other animal diseases were more prevalent in some areas and whether research had been done. The Minister said intensive research was under way in affected north-western counties and suggested disease could spread between farms through contact among farmers.
(Limerick West): Could the Minister outline for the House the reason that there is a greater incidence of disease, and particularly TB, in some parts of the country rather than in others? Have the Department carried out any research in that regard?
Comment on this
Yes. At the moment fairly intensive research is being carried out in parts of the north western counties where the disease is particularly severe. It would appear that, for one reason or another, even because of farmers visiting each other, it is like a red belt from one farm to another.