A councillor in Co. Wicklow is calling for further action to be taken on bovine tuberculosis (bTB) as he warns of farms being "wiped out".

Councillor Gerry O'Neill told Agriland he tabled a motion in relation to bTB, which was passed unanimously, at Wicklow County Council's meeting this month.

The motion stated that the members of Wicklow County Council "express our concern regarding the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis in humans and in livestock in the country and county".

The motion also states that councillors invite representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to "attend a future meeting of the council to discuss the situation and how it can be dealt with and the members would also welcome a presentation on deer management".

Councillor O'Neill, who is located in west Co. Wicklow, said a "huge amount" of cattle are being lost and "in my immediate area, five farmers have been wiped out".

He said the motion received a lot of "immediate support" amongst councillors as concern grows over the impact of TB on farmers across the county.

He said he is urging for DAFM attendance at a council meeting to take place "as soon as possible" as the situation in relation to TB in the county is "very bad".

Deer

For farmers he said there are a number of challenges, including those related to compensation, that must be discussed with the department.

According to O'Neill, the department must also communicate on food safety aspects and provide reassurance to the public.

He also cited deer as a major issue in the county, saying there is "huge concern" over the high numbers.

"We need further action and information," he added.

O'Neill also raised concern around public health and cases of TB in humans.

Herd incidence

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said he is "very aware" of the emotional and financial challenge of a TB breakdown for Irish farmers, their families and rural communities.

"In recent years there has been a significant increase in bTB levels nationally," he said in response to questions from Kerry TD Michael Cahill.

However, the minister said there has been "encouraging progress" in recent months in reducing bTB levels.

As of May 31, 2026, over a 12-month period, the herd incidence was was 5.34% down from 6.38%, the minister said.

The number of herds restricted was 5,336 down over 17% from 6,448 during the same period.

"This is due to the combined efforts of all stakeholders in engaging with farmers to reduce the risk bTB poses to Irish herds and rural communities," Minister Heydon said.

Action plan

The minister said that Budget 2026 provided an increased budget for the TB programme for 2026.

"This will allow the TB programme to focus on driving down disease through the implementation of the measures laid out in the bTB Action Plan," he said.

"It will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a TB restriction and protect those herds currently free from TB from the stress of a TB outbreak.

"The objective of the new measures in the Bovine TB Action Plan is to reduce the number of farms affected by bTB and decrease costs for all stakeholders."