Wild deer pose next TB threat to cattle

WHILE badger controls have resulted in major falls in the incidence of TB in cattle over recent years, a senior Galway IFA officer has warned that deer could pose the next major obstacle in trying to rid the country of the scourge.

Galway IFA Livestock Committee representative and former National Chairman of the IFA Animal Health Committee, Michael Flynn, said that the increase in wild deer numbers in a number of counties, including Galway, now posed a real disease threat.

He told the Farming Tribune that recent tests of wild deer in Wicklow showed that up to 16% of them were infected with TB.

“This is a very worrying indicator and with such an increase in deer numbers across parts of Galway, this is a matter that requires serious attention,” said Michael Flynn.

He said that while a national Deer Forum had been established, there were concerns at the slowness of the group to address the issues involved.

“There are many parts of East and South Galway where wild deer numbers have grown significantly over recent years. This growth is causing problem not only in relation to animal disease but also in the areas of damage to crops and as a danger on our roads,” said Michael Flynn.

He said that while Galway over recent years had mirrored the rest of the country in terms of a drop in the incidence of bovine TB, there was no room for complacency, especially where new threats were emerging.

Mr. Flynn said that overall the disease situation as regards cattle in Ireland was an improving one with the recent isolated single case of BSE having little impact on the Irish beef trade.

“What the detection of BSE in this single animal has shown is that our controls and checks are among the most stringent in the world. This is reassuring for everyone,” said Michael Flynn.

Earlier this summer, the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, told the Dáil that in Northern Ireland where badger culling wasn’t prioritised, the incidence of bovine TB was twice that of the Republic.