‘Difficult decisions’ needed to curb rising TB

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. convened a meeting of key stakeholders this week to address the worrying rise in TB incidence across the country.

TB disease levels have increased significantly in recent years. Herd incidence has gone from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. This is a point not seen since 2003.

Stakeholders, including representatives from Teagasc, AHI, IFA, NPWS, ICOS, INHFA, ICSA, Macra, Veterinary Ireland, and ICMSA, were given an opportunity to provide feedback on proposed measures to tackle TB at the start of the summit. This was followed by bilateral meetings with the Minister and his officials.

“The most effective way to mitigate the impact of this disease on farm families is to reduce its incidence and the potential of spread between herds,” Minister Heydon commented after the summit. This, he noted, “will involve some difficult decisions”.

“I wanted to provide an opportunity to those affected to provide their perspectives on what is a significant challenge for all concerned.”

Minister Heydon also highlighted the importance of ensuring the measures adopted are based on the very best scientific advice, adding that the engagement witnessed over the course of the summit “will contribute to a more effective programme that protects farmers from this disease”.

“I intend to move quickly now to refine the programme to ensure that we do what is necessary to reduce the impact of this disease in farm families,” he concluded.