Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Niall Collins has said a bovine tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in north Kerry and west Limerick is of significant concern and is being closely monitored by the department.
Speaking at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar at the Listowel Arms Hotel on November 9, Collins told a large crowd of farmers from across the region that he was aware of the emotional and financial challenge a TB breakdown creates for farmers, their families and communities.
He said TB levels in north Kerry and his own west Limerick had risen in a worrying way and were above the national average. He described the local increase as an issue the department was monitoring and one that was of significant concern.
Budget and national trend
Collins said over €142 million was earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, while existing valuation ceilings for reactor animals were increased by €500. He said the overall allocation was lower, but that this reflected a national reduction in bovine TB of about 10.9% compared with the same time last year.
He said the recent local rise was worrying, but that nationally there had been positive signs in recent months. He attributed the national reduction to efforts by all stakeholders to engage with farmers and reduce the risk that bovine TB poses to Irish herds and rural communities.
The minister said the department’s continued focus was on reducing disease levels, which would in turn reduce the impact on farm families, the cost of the programme and costs for farmers and taxpayers.
Action plan and official figures
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, includes some 30 actions described as underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise. In April, changes were introduced to animal testing and animal movement requirements to reduce cattle-to-cattle transmission.
The latest department statistics, covering the 12 months to September 27, 2026, showed national herd incidence at 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds was 5,353, down 12%, and the number of reactors was over 36,374, down 9.5%.
Despite that national decline, above-average levels of the disease still persisted in various regions, including the north Kerry and west Limerick area discussed at the seminar.
Local monitoring
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 the aim was to reverse the trend, given its 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 to help them. Collins said he was confident that focusing efforts locally, alongside the Bovine TB Action Plan and the changes introduced this year, would drive disease levels down further.