The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is closely monitoring a bovine tuberculosis hotspot in north Kerry and west Limerick, where disease levels are running above the national average, Minister of State Niall Collins has said.
Addressing the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar on Monday, November 9, at the Listowel Arms Hotel before a large crowd of farmers from across the region, Collins said the department was very aware of the emotional and financial challenge that a bovine TB breakdown creates for farmers, their families and their communities.
He said the rise in bovine TB levels across north Kerry and in his own west Limerick area was above the national average and was being monitored by the department, describing it as an issue of significant concern.
Budget and supports
Collins told the seminar that just over €142 million has been earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, and that existing valuation ceilings for reactor animals have been increased by €500. He explained that the overall allocation is lower than previously because the national disease level has fallen by about 10.9% compared with the same point last year.
National incidence falls
The department's latest figures, covering the 12 months to September 27, 2026, put national herd incidence at 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds stood at 5,353, a fall of 12%, while the number of reactors was over 36,374, down 9.5%.
Despite that national improvement, above-average levels of the disease continue to persist in several regions of the country, including north Kerry and west Limerick.
Action plan
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, sets out around 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise. In April, a number of changes to animal testing and animal movement requirements were introduced in an effort to reduce transmission of the disease from cattle to cattle.
Collins attributed the national reduction to the combined efforts of all stakeholders in engaging with and supporting farmers to lower the risk of TB in their herds. He said he was confident that focusing those efforts locally, together with the action plan and the changes introduced this year, would drive disease levels down further.
Local monitoring
The minister said he would engage with department officials on a real-time basis in an effort to reverse the trend in north Kerry and west Limerick, given the significant impact it has on farmers, farm families and communities. He added that he has asked for more manpower to be made available to local staff to support that work.
He said the department's continued focus is on reducing disease levels, which would in turn reduce the impact of bovine TB on Irish farm families, cut the cost of the programme and lower costs for farmers and taxpayers.