Publication
National Bovine TB Statistics
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
TB Statistics
Levels of bovine TB have been rising since 2016. This has continued into 2021 with a slight decrease towards the end of the current quarter. In the 12 months to the end of Q3 2021, 4.22% of herds tested had a new TB breakdown. This is known as herd incidence. In the previous 12 months the figure was 4.27%.
The total number of reactors removed in the 12 months to the end of Q3 2021 (21,470) is slightly higher than the figure for the previous 12 months (21,209). This steady increase since 2010 highlights the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to reduce and eliminate this threat to farm families.
One of the policies introduced as part of the TB strategy is the blood testing of inconclusive reactors. To date in the region of 62% of these animals are testing positive. The removal of these infected animals prevents them spreading disease further and shows the value of the collaborative approach taken as part of the TB Forum process.
Individual farmers can contribute to TB reduction by learning how to reduce the risk of TB to their herd. There are several informative videos and leaflets on www.bovinetb.ie giving advice on how to reduce the risk of TB.
Expenditure
Voted expenditure to date in 2021 is €5.8 million (19%) higher than the same time period in 2020.
The increase in expenditure is primarily associated with deterioration in disease incidence and reactor numbers.
Variances in supplies expenditure is largely related to timing of payments and not reflective of general trends/.
