Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give detailed consideration to the issues outlined in correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14274/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am also acutely aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown, which causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families.

I am fully committed to the objectives of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy, which aims to reduce and, ultimately, eradicate this disease in Ireland. Unfortunately, there has been a deterioration in the incidence of TB in recent years. However, stakeholders are working together to ensure that all steps necessary to control this disease are taken, with the ultimate aim of eradicating TB from the national herd.

The implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum. The Forum is supported by three working groups – a Scientific Group, an Implementation Working Group and a Finance Group which aim to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Forum and its working groups are comprised of representatives from across the agri-food sector, leading researchers, farming organisations and my Department.

While significant progress has been made in some areas of the TB programme, there are other areas where further progress is required. My Department is in ongoing consultation in this regard with the farming bodies, through the TB Forum.

The details of the TB Strategy, along with details of TB Forum and working groups, are available on www.bovinetb.ie.