Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed an increased budget allocation of €157 million for the government’s bovine tuberculosis (TB) programme.

He also outlined steps in the government’s Bovine TB Action Plan.

This was in response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael's Colm Burke.

Deputy Burke asked what action the department is taking to ensure that farmers are made aware of new TB Action Plan changes that will come into effect from April.

Minister Heydon replied: “Bovine TB (bTB) is an ongoing emotional and financial challenge for Irish farmers.  In recent years there has been a significant increase in bTB levels nationally.

“These conditions allow heightened susceptibility to disease, whether that is TB or any other infectious disease.”

The minister added that he has undertaken “extensive engagement with stakeholders and farming organisations to agree measures to tackle the current disease levels”.

Additional measures

Minister Heydon went on to describe additional measures for the TB programme.

He said: “In June 2025, I brought a memo for government seeking the support of government to introduce additional measures to the bovine TB programme, which was approved by cabinet.

“On September 9, 2025, I launched the Bovine TB Action Plan: Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland. There are five measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific research and veterinary expertise.”

The measures are:  

Support herds free of bTB to remain free;
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB;
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown;
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity;
Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB.

“The aim of the Action Plan is to reset the TB programme by putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation,” the minister said.

“These measures are targeting both transmission between wildlife and cattle and transmission between cattle.”

Budget

The minister also outlined the increased budget secured for the action plan.

“I also secured an increased budget allocation of €157 million in Budget 2026 for the TB programme," he said.

"This will allow the programme to focus on driving down disease through the implementation of the measures laid out in the bTB Action Plan.

The minister added that this reduction “reflects the combined efforts of all stakeholders in communicating the steps we all can play in reducing the risk of bTB on Irish farms”.

“I wish to assure farmers and all stakeholders that they will be notified in advance of any changes to the TB programme through communication campaigns," Minister Heydon said.

“The government is committed to ongoing constructive engagement with all stakeholders in order to help the farming community.”