The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is closely monitoring a bovine tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in north Kerry and west Limerick, Minister of State Niall Collins has said.
Speaking at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar at the Listowel Arms Hotel on Monday, November 9, Collins said TB levels in north Kerry and his own west Limerick area were above the national average and were of significant concern. The event drew a large crowd of farmers from across the region. He told the seminar that the department was very aware of the emotional and financial challenge a bovine TB breakdown creates for farmers, their families and their communities.
Collins said the rise was being monitored on a day-to-day basis and that he would engage with departmental officials in real time. He said the aim was to reverse the trend because of its impact on farmers, farm families and rural communities, and that he had asked for more manpower to be made available to local staff.
National figures decline
According to the latest departmental statistics, national herd incidence over the 12 months to September 27, 2026, was 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds stood at 5,353, a decrease of 12%, while the number of reactors was over 36,374, down 9.5%.
Collins said the national reduction of about 10.9% compared with the same time last year reflected the combined efforts of stakeholders in engaging with and supporting farmers to reduce the risk of TB in their herds. He added that despite the national improvement, above-average levels of the disease persisted in various regions.
Budget and action plan
Over €142 million was earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, Collins said, and existing valuation ceilings for reactor animals were increased by €500. He explained that the overall allocation was lower because of the national reduction in bovine TB.
The minister said the department's continued focus was on reducing disease levels, which he said would in turn reduce the impact of bovine TB on farm families, the cost of the programme and costs for farmers and taxpayers.
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, contains some 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise. In April, changes to animal testing and animal movement requirements were introduced to reduce cattle-to-cattle transmission.
Collins said he was confident that focusing efforts locally, alongside the action plan and the changes introduced this year, would drive disease levels down further.