Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is closely monitoring a bovine tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in north Kerry and west Limerick, where levels are above the national average, Minister of State Niall Collins has said.
Speaking at the Listowel Food Fair Farming Seminar on Monday, Collins described the rise as “of significant concern”. The event at the Listowel Arms Hotel drew a large crowd of farmers from across the region. The minister 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.
He said the local increase was worrying, although national figures had shown positive signs in recent months. He attributed national progress to efforts by stakeholders to engage with and support farmers in reducing the risk posed by TB to Irish herds and rural communities.
Collins said over €142 million was earmarked for bovine TB measures under Budget 2027, and that existing valuation ceilings for reactor animals had been increased by €500. He said the overall allocation was lower because national bovine TB had fallen by about 10.9% compared with the same time last year.
The Bovine TB Action Plan, launched in September 2025, contains about 30 actions underpinned by scientific research, evidence and veterinary expertise, according to the minister. In April, changes were introduced to animal testing and movement requirements to reduce cattle-to-cattle transmission.
Department statistics cited at the seminar showed that, in the 12 months to September 27, 2026, national herd incidence was 5.40%, down from 6.08%. The number of restricted herds was 5,353, a fall of 12%, and reactors numbered over 36,374, down 9.5%.
Despite the national decline, above-average disease levels persist in several regions. Collins said the national reduction reflected combined efforts by stakeholders, and expressed confidence that focusing efforts locally, alongside the action plan and this year’s changes, would drive disease levels down further.
He said the department was monitoring the rise in north Kerry and west Limerick on a day-to-day basis and that he would engage with officials in real time because the aim was to reverse the trend, given its impact on farmers, farm families and communities. He added that he had asked for more manpower resources to be made available to local staff.
Collins said the department’s continued focus was 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 decrease costs for farmers and the taxpayer.