New farmer and vet supports have been launched aiming to ease the burden of TB outbreaks.

A new step-by-step guide for managing TB (tuberculosis) breakdowns in cattle herds, a series of biosecurity demonstration videos, and a practical training programme for vets are among the supports launched.

This follows a year-long research project examining how farmers and vets experience TB outbreaks on Irish farms.

The project, COMMTB, found that farmers frequently feel overwhelmed, particularly during a first TB breakdown, and may lack clear guidance and trusted advice at the point they need it most.

Supports

The new materials, developed by Teagasc, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Animal Health Ireland (AHI), and funded by DAFM, were designed directly in response to that finding.

They include:

A step-by-step guide for farmers managing a TB breakdown;
A series of on-farm biosecurity demonstration videos, filmed at Teagasc Moorepark, showing practical measures such as reducing badger access to farmyards;
A practical TB biosecurity training programme for vets, already piloted with private veterinary practitioners (PVPs) at Teagasc Moorepark farm;
An information pack for vets to share with herdowners when a reactor animal is found during testing;
A set of farmer-led recommendations on improving TB communication channels, fed back to DAFM to inform future supports.

Teagasc social scientist Dr. Áine Regan, who led the COMMTB project, explained that the research highlighted that many farmers feel uncertain and overwhelmed when managing TB, particularly during their first outbreak.

"Working closely with farmers and PVPs, we identified practical recommendations to improve TB communications," Dr. Regan said.

These were then shared directly with DAFM, and there was collaboration with policymakers to develop and test prototype communication approaches based on farmers' and PVPs' experiences and needs.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, welcomed the outcome of the project: "This work demonstrates the importance of a collaborative approach to researching issues in a practical manner and producing outcomes which can assist farmers and vets in their everyday lives.

"It builds on several of the actions contained in the bTB Action Plan I launched last year."