Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the measures to tackle bovine TB; the contact which has been made by his Department with relevant agencies in the North of Ireland; if he will disclose this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17385/26]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Bovine TB (bTB) is an ongoing emotional and financial challenge for Irish farmers. In recent years there has been a significant increase in bTB levels nationally. The reasons underpinning current high levels of bTB incidence are the expansion of the dairy herd resulting in increased levels of intensive cattle farming and the increased movement of cattle. These conditions allow heightened susceptibility to disease, whether that is TB or any other infectious disease.

On 9 September 2025, I launched the ‘Bovine TB Action Plan: Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland’ there are 5 measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific research and veterinary expertise

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

I also secured an increased budget in Budget 2026 for the TB programme. This will allow the programme to focus on driving down disease through the implementation of the measures laid out in the bTB Action Plan.

At the end of 2025 the estimated herd incidence was 5.7% having started to fall in recent months. This reflects the combined efforts of all stakeholders in communicating the steps we all can play in reducing the risk of bTB on Irish farms. I expect this to accelerate as the bTB Action Plan is embedded further into the programme this year.

I wish to assure farmers and all stakeholders that they will be notified in advance of any changes to the TB programme through communication campaigns.

In addition to ongoing contact between my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland on bTB I recently launched with the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir MLA, a pilot cooperation project to tackle bovine TB on a regional basis, as part of the Shared Island Initiative. This project will see both Departments collaborate in a pilot area in the north-east of Donegal and the north-west of Northern Ireland on measures that seek to ultimately lead to a reduction in disease levels, reactor numbers and exchequer spending on TB over time in both jurisdictions.

The project also aligns with both Departments’ strategies on the eradication of bovine TB and the objectives of the Shared Island Initiative of working together on an all-island basis to address common strategic challenges. Through the Shared Island Fund, the Government of Ireland will contribute €6.5 million towards the total projected costs (€11.7 million) over the five-year period of the pilot project, with the remaining costs being funded by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, as applicable.