2756. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of a case (details supplied) where farm payments have been blocked due to a TB issue despite the farmer’s herd repeatedly testing clear; if this case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter [62504/26]

Under EU and Irish rules relating to the control of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) my Department is required to suspend the Disease Free Status (DFS) of the herd where a suspected case of bTB occurred until further investigation and an epidemiological enquiry are concluded.

I am advised that on 27 March 2024 the herdowner in question sold two animals, these two animals subsequently tested positive on a bTB skin test in another herd on 20 June 2024. As a result their herd has the status 'trade suspended' applied to it in July 2024 as associated to factory lesion retest herd and listed for a backward trace herd level test to be completed by 19 August 2024. I am advised that the herdowner did not complete this Backward trace herd test by this date and it was completed on 5 December 2024.

I am advised that the herd was then correctly listed for its annual Round Test the following year with a scheduled date of 19 August 2025; this is 12 months from when the herdowner was meant to complete their Backward trace herd level test. An overdue TB test letter was sent to the herdowner at the time and the herd had the stauts 'trade suspended' appplied until the test was completed. The herdowner completed the Annual Round test late, on 31 October 2025.

The herd is now correctly listed for its TB Annual Round test in 2026 and had a scheduled date of 19 August 2026, that is 12 months from the last scheduled date of its anniversary test in 2025. The TB testing programme does not allow a farmer to delay TB testing beyond the 12-month anniversary.

As part of the investigation, backward tracing of animals that fail a TB skin/blood test or confirm TB at slaughter takes place. If such a backward traced animal left the herd of origin more than six weeks prior to disclosure of infection in the subsequent herd, the DFS of the original herd is suspended until it has carried out cleansing and disinfection and completed one clear herd test, at least 42 days after the animal left the herd.

In this case the animals left the herd of origin more than six weeks prior to disclosure of infection in the subsequent herd and did not have a herd test at least 42 days after these animals were sold. Therefore, the Disease Free Status of the herd was suspended pending another herd test. The herd owner was notified by my Department's local regional veterinary office of this Backward Trace herd level test and informed to complete this herd level test.