Ireland achieves 50% reduction in TB

Ireland has seen almosta 50% reduction in Bovine TB incidents since 2008 and the Irish Government suggests that TB eradication is a ‘practicable proposition’.  During 2013, 15,612 cattle tested positive, a 15% reduction on 2012.  The Department of Agriculture partly attributes Irelands success to its culling policy; around 6,000 badgers are culled annually.  Research is also being carried out into badger ecology and the development of a badger vaccine.

TB Culls – GB and Ireland, 2008-2013 – Source: DEFRA, DoA