Minister Heydon announces important changes to the Bovine TB (bTB) programme now in effect
- Published on: 17 April 2026
- Last updated on: 17 April 2026
Minister announces €6 million for a new on-farm badger biosecurity scheme
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, announces important changes to animal testing and animal movement requirements to the bTB programme that came into effect on Monday, 13 April. This announcement follows his communication to all farmers on these changes earlier this month.
The changes being introduced this week as part of the further implementation of the Bovine TB Action Plan published last year include:
- The removal of the post-movement test option for all cows and for males over 36 months of age
- All dairy cows moved into a breeding herd will require a 30-day pre-movement test
- 30-day pre-movement testing for contract reared heifers
- The introduction of mandatory Gamma Interferon Test (GIF) testing in large breakdowns of breeding herds (this will apply to herds in a bTB restriction on or after 13 April 2026)
- Restriction on sale of exposed cohorts where GIF testis carried out in larger breeding herds for a period of time (this will apply to herds in a bTB restriction on or after 13 April 2026)
Announcing these changes, Minister Heydon said:
“These changes are necessary to reduce disease levels and protect farm families. We are starting to see some positive trends in disease levels in recent months, thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders. However, disease levels are still at a very high level. By introducing these changes now we have a real opportunity to make significant progress in driving down disease levels further.”
In addition to these changes, Minister Heydon gave further detail on other elements of the bTB Action Plan being introduced:
“I am pleased to announce a budget of €6 million in 2026 for a new on-farm badger biosecurity scheme. Good biosecurity is important to reduce the risk of transmission of bTB from badgers to cattle and cattle to badgers. This scheme will allow farmers to reduce the risk posed by badgers to the spread of bTB by contributing to the cost of good on-farm badger biosecurity measures. On 17 April, the scheme will open for applications from interested co-operatives and agri-retail merchants from whom farmers will be able to purchase eligible items. Applications will open for farmers shortly thereafter.”
Commenting on Measure 2 of the Action Plan, Minister Heydon added:
“One of the key commitments I gave in the Action Plan was to reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of this disease. There are a number of means in which this can be done. In addition to the on-farm badger biosecurity scheme I am also pleased to announce that my Department recently completed a tender process for a service provider as part of our wildlife programme. That tender evaluation is now complete, and the contract is currently being finalised. This will result in an increase in resources on the ground further improving the effectiveness of my Department's wildlife programme measures in the bTB Action Plan.”
An important element of the bTB programme is providing practical informed support to farmers. The Minister added:
“I am pleased to announce a TB Helpline for farmers that enter a new breakdown. The helpline will provide practical support and advice to farmers on the bTB breakdown process.”
The management of a bTB breakdown will continue to be the responsibility of the local Regional Veterinary Offices.
Reflecting on these changes Minister Heydon said:
“The changes introduced on Monday, in addition to the changes introduced already and in place, will make a positive impact on farmers who have a bTB restricted holding as well as those farmers who are free of bTB.”
The Minister advised farmers to scan the QR code on the leaflet they received recently in the post or visit www.bovinetb.ie to access further information on the bTB programme.
Notes
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, published the Bovine TB Action Plan Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland on 9 September 2025. This plan includes five measures and 30 actions to address and over time reduce the current high disease levels as follows:
- 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 bTB 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
These measures are targeting both transmission between wildlife and cattle and transmission between cattle where the disease risk is highest in order to meaningfully reduce disease levels.
The TB helpline number is 045 873580.
The following measures have also been introduced in recent months:
- The introduction and expansion of online sales of cattle to Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) from bTB restricted herds,
- Facilitating the movement of unweaned dairy calves from bTB restricted holdings
- Launch of a joint project between my Department and the Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) thanks to funding from the Shared Island Initiative
Further details on the bTB programme and updates are available on www.bovinetb.ie