Minister calls emergency meeting to discuss revamped TB plan
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has announced that he is bringing together key stakeholders to a meeting next Thursday, May 8 to discuss a reset of the bovine tuberculosis (TB) programme aimed at addressing deteriorating TB disease levels.
TB disease levels in recent years have increased significantly. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024.
Minister Heydon stated: “An increasing number of farm families are facing the emotional and financial hardship of a TB breakdown.
"Having been on a downward trajectory, disease levels have deteriorated in recent years and reached a point not seen since 2003.
"The stark reality is that we have reached a crossroads in our efforts to control and ultimately eradicate bovine TB.
“It is a challenging disease to control and eradicate, but it can and has been done elsewhere. However, left unchecked, this disease will impact many more families throughout rural Ireland and the output of our agri-sector, particularly in terms of lost production at both farm level and at processor level."
Minister Heydon said that it is essential that decisive action is immediately taken to reverse the current trends.
"We cannot allow our farmers or rural economy to suffer by not tackling this disease head on," the minister continued.
“I intend to bring forward proposals for a revamped eradication plan following this meeting.
"These will be based on the best scientific and veterinary advice available which will be debated and discussed in detail at the summit, and have the best interests of farmers, farm families and the agri-sector in mind.
"I am confident that if we take a robust scientific approach to controlling TB, not alone can we halt the increase of recent years but in time reduce it to a level where we can start working once again to our ultimate goal of eradication."
The minister has stressed that leadership will be required across all levels of the sector including at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Minister Heydon has also acknowledged the work of all those involved in dealing with bovine TB on a daily basis and reiterated the need for their efforts to be supported with an effective TB eradication programme.
“I want to place on the record my recognition of all those who everyday are dealing either with this disease directly or supporting those most affected by it," Heydon said.
"From farmers facing a breakdown, to farm organisations who offer support to their members affected by an outbreak, private veterinary practitioners who are on farms testing and advising farmers on how to deal with a TB outbreak or take the steps to avoid one, and staff from my department.
“Some decisions that will be made will be difficult. However, without taking these decisions we will not improve the situation for the farm families we work with on a daily basis affected by bovine TB or protect those farm families who have had a TB outbreak from the stress and hardship of one.”
