Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

Current TB levels are leading to stress for farmers who have had a bovine TB outbreak. For those who are living in fear of having TB outbreaks and are worried about the impact it would have on their livelihoods, we need to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to reduce disease levels and ultimately take the stress associated with bovine TB out of farmers' lives. The aim of the action plan is to reset the bTB programme in the context of putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation throughout the country. These measures are targeted at both transmission between wildlife and cattle and transmission between cattle. Some of the measures will be introduced immediately in terms of communication and engagement with farmers. Some will be introduced over the coming months into 2026. Some of these measures require work on IT systems, which is being prioritised, and will be rolled out in the coming months.

Farmers and all stakeholders will be notified in advance of any changes to the TB programme through communication campaigns. The bovine TB eradication programme has secured an increased budget allocation in 2026, providing a total of €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing the disease. I am confident it will help drive down the instances of bovine TB levels in future years. Through the implementation of the new measures in the action plan, the Minister and I believe that it is vital that the cost of this disease is reduced for the coming years. This budget allocation will support and enable farm families, who are currently dealing with the stress of a bTB outbreak, to navigate a way out of the bTB restrictions and protect those herds currently free from bTB from the stress of a TB outbreak.

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