asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline his Department's proposals to eliminate bovine tuberculosis.

The present strategy for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis is based on an annual round of testing of herds. Reactor herds are subjected to repeated tests and herds contiguous to them are specially tested as a precautionary measure. Programmes of special check tests are carried out in badly-infected areas. These measures are supplemented by a requirement that cattle over six weeks of age must have passed a TB test in the previous 30 days before movement out of a herd.

I will be reviewing this strategy and the overall operation of the scheme in the light of the progress achieved at the end of the present round of testing which is due to finish early in the new year.

This scheme, which is in its twenty-ninth year, has cost in excess of £117.6 million.

Has the Deputy a question?

Is the Minister satisfied with the situation having regard to the fact that in 20 out of the 26 countries last year there was an increase in the incidence of TB?

I am not satisfied that the rate of progress in the eradication of TB is satisfactory, though the progress in the eradication of brucellosis is satisfactory. It has been very successful but we are not content at all with the manner in which the disease eradication programme has progressed. The incidence of TB amongst herds is 2.25 per cent. For the round test for 1981-82, when the last full round took place, the incidence was 2.76 per cent. The 1980-81 round test indicated herd incidence of 2.11 per cent which is just less than the current figure.