Eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Ireland: is it a case of now or never?

Abstract

There has been a sharp disimprovement in the bovine tuberculosis (bTB) situation in Ireland in recent years. This commentary argues for critical programme change in three overarching themes relevant to the Irish bTB eradication programme, if eradication is to be successful: (1) Limiting infection in cattle. Residual (hidden) infection is an important constraint to eradication, due to the use of imperfect diagnostic tests. This is resolved with a risk-based approach, as is widely used in other national programmes, and would impact herd management, cattle trade and regionalisation. (2) Limiting infection within and from wildlife. Infection in wildlife is a key feature of bTB in many countries, including Ireland. Early research with badger vaccination has been promising. However, wide-scale badger vaccination has proved logistically challenging, and research to monitor progress is underway. It is unlikely that badger vaccination, in addition to current cattle controls, will be sufficient to achieve bTB eradication. (3) Programme leadership, management, governance and cost-sharing. There are a number of substantial, seemingly intractable, issues relating to programme leadership, management, governance and cost-sharing which alone are sufficient to preclude any sustained move to eradication. International examples of success are available, with funding models being critical to progress. In these three themes, most of the constraints are non-technical. If difficult decisions are not taken and the status quo is allowed to continue, there is a risk that infection may establish in further wildlife species, which may make eradication unattainable. Current decisions (including inaction) will impact future generations, including the general public (through the Exchequer) and future farming families.