Written answers
Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Animal Diseases
Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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156. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans for population control of badgers to reduce the number of cases of bovine TB, in particular in west Wicklow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/25]
Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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At the February meeting of the TB Forum it was agreed that all stakeholders would provide proposals on new measures for inclusion in the TB programme aimed at reducing TB levels in cattle against the backdrop of surging disease levels.
At the TB Forum on 26th March all stakeholders were provided the opportunity to present proposals on draft measures to be incorporated into the TB programme to address the recent increase in disease incidence over the last number of years.
Following this meeting the Chair of the Forum wrote to me in early April outlining discussions at the meeting.
On 8th May 2025, I held a meeting of key stakeholders to address the deteriorating TB disease levels where discussions were held on the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of bTB on farm families and to reduce herd incidence and spread of the disease.
At this meeting I presented 30 actions underpinned by 5 key pillars to address the current rates of bTB:
- Support herds free of bTB to remain free
- Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
- Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a TB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
- Help farmers improve all areas of on farm biosecurity
- Reduce the impact of known high risk animals in spreading bTB
I will shortly be meeting with farm organisations again to discuss updated proposals on foot of our discussions at the summit.
I hope to achieve a broad consensus to these proposals but there is an urgency here and I intend to move quickly to refine the programme and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to reduce the impact of this disease on farmers and their families.
I will ensure that any measures adopted are based on the best scientific and veterinary advice. Through strong leadership by all involved in the programme and by working together we can take the necessary measures to protect farmers livelihoods from bTB.
On the issue of wildlife my Department continues to operate the wildlife programme both nationally and in West Wicklow. A significant number of badgers have been removed from West Wicklow as part of the programme.
Population control of badgers is a key component of the wildlife programme in areas of high disease incidence and where the source of a TB outbreak is attributed to badgers. I will continue to ensure that the wildlife programme throughout the country, including West Wicklow is supported into the future.
However it would be remiss of me to focus solely on one aspect of disease control, the wildlife programme must also run alongside good biosecurity controls, as well reducing the impact on cattle of known high risk bovine animals.
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