Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine statement on the Department's plan to deal with Bovine TB

In response to John McGuinness' question the Minister states:

Bovine TB is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. In recent years, bovine TB (bTB) levels have continued to deteriorate.

Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, resulting in a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. As of 22nd June 2025, over a 12 month period we had a herd incidence of 6.43 % with over 43,455 reactors. This disease is having an impact on our farmers and their families both financially and emotionally throughout rural Ireland. This cannot be allowed to continue.

Following extensive discussions at the TB Forum, I met TB stakeholders on 8 May and farming organisations on 22 May with a view to agreeing an action plan for bovine TB on the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of bTB on farm families and to reduce herd incidence and spread of the disease. It was clear at these meetings that there is an appetite for change to the bTB programme.

At these meetings I presented 5 key pillars to address the current rates of bTB:

1. Support herds free of bTB to remain free

2. Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB

3. Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a TB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown.

4. Help farmers improve all areas of on farm biosecurity

5. Reduce the impact of known high risk animals in spreading bTB

I want to thank all stakeholders for their engagement at these meetings. The concerns they had in relation to the impact of bTB on their members were clear and palpable. The discussions I had at these meetings have fed into a TB plan that I intend to finalise and publish this shortly.

At a meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday 24th June I received the approval of government to address the current high level of bovine TB with this plan.

I will ensure that any measures adopted are based on the best scientific and veterinary advice. Through strong leadership by all involved in the programme and by working together we can take the necessary measures to protect farmers livelihoods from bTB.