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 said at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar.
Speaking at the Listowel Arms Hotel on Monday, November 9, Collins told a large crowd of farmers from across the region that TB levels in north Kerry and his own west Limerick had risen above the national average. He described the trend as “worrying” and “of significant concern,” and said the department was monitoring the issue.
He said the department was very aware of the emotional and financial challenge that a bovine TB breakdown poses for farmers, their families and their communities.
Budget 2027 and national disease trends
Collins said more than €142 million had been earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, while existing valuation ceilings for reactor animals had been increased by €500. He explained that the overall allocation was lower because nationally bovine TB had fallen by about 10.9% compared with the same time last year.
According to the latest department statistics, covering the 12 months to September 27, 2026, national herd incidence stood at 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds was 5,353, a decline of 12%, and the number of reactors was over 36,374, down 9.5%. The department said above-average levels of the disease still persisted in various regions.
Collins said the national reduction reflected the combined efforts of stakeholders in engaging with and supporting farmers to reduce the risk of bTB in their herds. He added that he was confident focusing those efforts locally, alongside the bTB Action Plan and changes introduced this year, would drive disease levels down further.
Action plan and local staffing
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, includes about 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise. In April, changes were introduced to animal testing and animal movement requirements to reduce transmission of TB from cattle to cattle.
Collins 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 on a real-time basis because he wanted to reverse the trend, which has a significant impact on farmers, farm families and communities. He added that he had asked for more resources in terms of manpower to be made available to local staff.