Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Niall Collins has described a bovine tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in north Kerry and west Limerick as being of “significant concern”, saying the department is monitoring it closely.
Speaking at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar on Monday, November 9, Collins told a large crowd of farmers from across the region gathered at the Listowel Arms Hotel that the department was “very aware of the emotional and financial challenge” a TB breakdown creates for farmers, their families and communities.
He said there had been a worrying rise in bovine TB levels in north Kerry and in his own west Limerick, where levels are above the national average. “It’s an issue that we’re monitoring and one that is of significant concern,” he told the seminar.
Budget and action plan
Collins said that over €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 said the overall allocation was lower, but attributed this to a national reduction in bovine TB of about 10.9% compared with the same time last year.
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, contains some 30 actions “underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise”. In April, changes were introduced to animal testing and movement requirements in an effort to reduce cattle-to-cattle transmission.
National figures
Latest department statistics show that, as of September 27, 2026, over a 12-month period, national herd incidence stood at 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds was 5,353, a decline of 12%, while the number of reactors was over 36,374, down 9.5%. The minister said above-average levels of the disease still persisted in various regions.
Collins said the national reduction was due to the combined efforts of all stakeholders in engaging with and supporting farmers to reduce the risk of TB in their herds. He added that he was confident that focusing efforts locally, alongside the action plan and the changes introduced this year, would drive disease levels down further.
Local monitoring
On the rise in cases in north Kerry and west Limerick, Collins said the department was monitoring the situation “on a day-to-day basis”. He said he would engage with departmental officials on a real-time basis in an effort to reverse the trend, citing the 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 respond.