Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has said that he will "move quickly to refine" the TB Eradication Programme following the emergency meeting with farm organisations and other sector stakeholders.

The meeting took place yesterday (Thursday, May 8) in Dublin.

The objective of the meeting, which Minister Heydon convened and attended himself, was to address deteriorating TB disease levels.

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.

 The following organisations and bodies attended the meeting:

Animal Health Ireland (AHI);
Irish Farmers' Association (IFA);
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS);
Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS);
Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA);
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA);
Macra;
Veterinary Ireland;
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA);
Teagasc.

These groups 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. 

Commenting on the summit, Minister Heydon said “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.

"This will involve some difficult decisions, and I wanted to provide an opportunity to those affected to provide their perspectives on what is a significant challenge for all concerned," he added.

"I am satisfied that today’s engagement will contribute to a more effective programme that protects farmers from this disease," the minister said.

He added: "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 on farm families."

It is understood that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine outlined around 30 draft proposals to tackle the rising incidence rate of TB at the emergency meeting.

Agriland understands that the department presented proposals at yesterday's meeting under the following headings:

Support herds to remain free of bovine TB;
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bovine TB;
Detect and eliminate TB infection as early as possible in herds with a TB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown;
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity;
Reduce the impact of known high risk animals in spreading TB.

The draft proposals are understood to have stated that information on TB herd risk category would be provided at point of sale for all cattle.