Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Bovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in bTB levels nationally, with over 6,000 farm families affected by a TB outbreak in 2024, when herd incidence stood at 6.04%.

Over the last few months, I have undertaken extensive engagement with stakeholders and farming organisations to agree measures to tackle the current disease levels.

On 9th September I published the Bovine TB Action Plan, “Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland”. The Action Plan is based on scientific research and veterinary expertise. There are five measures, which are underpinned by 30 actions:

1. Support herds free of bTB to remain free
2. Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
3. Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
4. Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
5. Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB

The actions in the plan strike a balance between recognising the practicalities of livestock farming and the necessity to tackle a disease which has been increasing year on year.

I plan to introduce some of these measures immediately in terms of communication and engagement with farmers, and others will be introduced over the coming months and on into 2026. Some of these measures require development work to IT systems and this is being prioritised. I will ensure that farmers and all stakeholders are kept up to date on the implementation of the actions in this plan.

I secured an increased allocation of €85 million for bTB in Budget 2026, bringing the total budget to €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing this disease and I am confident it will help drive down the incidences of bovine TB going forward.

I am confident that this increased budget will allow the revamped bTB programme to focus on tackling disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new bTB Action Plan. It will also 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.