Minister Heydon holds stakeholder summit to address increasing TB rates
- Foilsithe: 9 Bealtaine 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 9 Bealtaine 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, today brought key stakeholders to a meeting to discuss a reset of the TB programme. The objective was to address deteriorating TB disease levels.
TB disease levels have increased significantly in recent years. Herd incidence has gone from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. This is a point not seen since 2003.
Representatives from AHI, IFA, NPWS, ICOS, INHFA, ICSA, Macra, Veterinary Ireland, ICMSA and Teagasc were given an opportunity to provide feedback on proposed measures to tackle TB at the start of the summit. This was followed by bilateral meetings with the Minister and his officials.
Commenting on the summit, Minister Heydon said:
“The most effective way to mitigate the impact of this disease on farm families is to reduce its incidence and the potential of spread between herds. This will involve some difficult decisions, and I wanted to provide an opportunity to those affected to provide their perspectives on what is a significant challenge for all concerned.
“I also want to ensure that any measures that we adopt are based on the very best scientific advice. I am satisfied that today’s engagement will contribute to a more effective programme that protects farmers from this disease. I intend to move quickly now to refine the programme to ensure that we do what is necessary to reduce the impact of this disease in farm families.”