The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is "closely monitoring" a bovine tuberculosis (TB) "hotspot" in north Kerry and west Limerick.

That is according to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Niall Collins who spoke about the recent increase in TB levels in the region at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar.

The event on Monday (November 9) drew a large crowd of farmers from across the region to the Listowel Arms Hotel.

Minister Collins said his department is "very aware of the emotional and financial challenge for farmers, their families and indeed for their communities of a bovine TB breakdown".

"I know that there has been a worrying rise in the levels of bovine TB in north Kerry and in my own west Limerick which is above the national average and it's an issue that we're monitoring and one that is of significant concern," he told the seminar.

Minister Collins said that over €142 million was earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, while the existing valuation ceilings increased by €500 for reactor animals.

"The overall allocation is lower but this is due to a fact that nationally a reduction in bovine TB of about 10.9% when compared with this time last year.

"So while the recent rise locally here is worrying nationally we have seen positive signs in recent months in reducing the bovine TB levels thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders in engaging with farmers to reduce the risk of bovine TB reducing the risk that it poses to Irish herds and to rural communities.

"Our department's continued focus is on reducing the levels of disease which will in turn reduce the impact of bovine TB on Irish farm families reduce the cost of the programme and decrease costs for farmers and the taxpayer," he added.

Bovine TB

The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, includes some 30 actions "underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise".

In April, a number of changes to the action plan were introduced to animal testing and animal movement requirements to reduce the transmission of TB from cattle to cattle.

The latest department statistics show that as of September 27, 2026, over a 12-month period, the national herd incidence was 5.40%, down from 6.08%.

The number of herds restricted was 5,353, down 12%, and the number of reactors was over 36,374, down 9.5%.

However, above average levels of the disease still persist in various regions across the country.

"This national reduction is due to the combined efforts of all stakeholders in engaging and supporting farmers in reducing the risk of bTB in their herds.

"... I am confident that focusing these efforts locally, in tandem with the bTB Action Plan and the changes introduced this year will drive down the disease levels further," Minister Collins said.

Resources

The minister told Agriland that the department is monitoring the rise in TB cases in north Kerry and west Limerick "on a day-to-day basis".

"It's something that I'll be engaging with my officials within the department on a real-time basis, because we want to try and reverse this trend, obviously because it does have a very significant impact to farmers, to farm families, and to the communities," he said.

Minister Collins added that he has "asked for more resources in terms of manpower to be made available to our local staff here to help them".