The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is closely monitoring a bovine tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in north Kerry and west Limerick, Minister of State Niall Collins has said.
Speaking at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar on Monday, November 9, Collins said the rise in TB levels in the region was above the national average and was of significant concern. The event at the Listowel Arms Hotel drew a large attendance of farmers from across the region.
Collins said DAFM was very aware of the emotional and financial challenge a bovine TB breakdown creates for farmers, their families and communities. He described the local increase as worrying, while noting that national trends had shown improvement.
Budget and national trends
More than €142 million has been earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, Collins told the seminar. The existing valuation ceilings for reactor animals were increased by €500.
The minister said the overall allocation was lower because bovine TB nationally had fallen by about 10.9% compared with the same time last year. He pointed to positive signs in recent months and credited engagement with farmers by stakeholders for reducing risk to Irish herds and rural communities.
DAFM statistics cited at the event show that, in the 12 months to September 27, 2026, national herd incidence was 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds stood at 5,353, a decline of 12%, while reactors numbered more than 36,374, down 9.5%.
Collins said above-average disease levels still persisted in various regions. He added that DAFM's focus remained on reducing disease levels to cut the impact on farm families, the cost of the programme and costs for farmers and taxpayers.
Action plan and local response
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, contains about 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise. In April, changes were introduced to animal testing and movement requirements to reduce cattle-to-cattle transmission.
Collins said he was confident that focusing efforts locally, alongside the action plan and this year's changes, would drive disease levels down further. He told Agriland that the department was monitoring the rise in TB cases in north Kerry and west Limerick on a day-to-day basis.
He said he would engage with department officials in real time because the aim was to reverse the trend, given its significant impact on farmers, farm families and communities. Collins added that he had asked for more manpower to be made available to local staff to help them.