The high levels of tuberculosis in wildlife, particularly badgers, is seen as the most significant barrier to animal TB eradication in Ireland, according to the Animal Health Committee of the vets' organisation, Veterinary Ireland.
In a policy document, the committee said that TB eradication schemes had dramatically reduced the incidence of TB in cattle but that eradication of the disease was not imminent.
The document said that the importance of containing and improving on these disease levels was considerable in terms of trade, animal health and public health.
