Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced a new €6 million on-farm badger biosecurity scheme as part of the new TB Action Plan.

The announcement comes as the minister confirmed changes to animal testing and animal movement requirements to the TB programme that came into effect on Monday (April 13).

This announcement follows his communication to all farmers on these changes earlier this month.

The changes being introduced this week as part of the further implementation of the Bovine TB Action Plan published last year include:

The removal of the post-movement test option for all cows and for males over 36 months of age;
All dairy cows moved into a breeding herd will require a 30-day pre-movement test;
30-day pre-movement testing for contract reared heifers;
The introduction of mandatory gamma interferon test (GIF) testing in large breakdowns of breeding herds (this will apply to herds in a TB restriction on or after April 13, 2026);
Restriction on sale of exposed cohorts where GIF test is carried out in larger breeding herds for a period of time (this will apply to herds in a TB restriction on or after April 13, 2026).

Confirming these changes, Minister Heydon said: “These changes are necessary to reduce disease levels and protect farm families. We are starting to see some positive trends in disease levels in recent months, thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders.

"However, disease levels are still at a very high level. By introducing these changes now we have a real opportunity to make significant progress in driving down disease levels further.”

Announcing the new badger biosecurity scheme, the minister said: "Good biosecurity is important to reduce the risk of transmission of TB from badgers to cattle, and cattle to badgers."

Minister Heydon said the scheme will allow farmers to reduce the risk posed by badgers to the spread of TB by contributing to the cost of good on-farm badger biosecurity measures.

On April 17, the scheme will open for applications from interested co-operatives and agri-retail merchants from whom farmers will be able to purchase eligible items. Applications will open for farmers shortly after that.

The minister said: "One of the key commitments I gave in the action plan was to reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of this disease."

Wildlife programme tender

Minister Heydon also confirmed that the tender evaluation is now complete, after a tender process was carried out for a service provider as part of the wildlife programme under the TB plan, with the contract with this provider being finalised currently.

"This will result in an increase in resources on the ground. further improving the effectiveness of my department's wildlife programme measures in the TB Action Plan," the minister said.

Apart from that, Minister Heydon also announced a TB helpline for farmers that enter a new breakdown.

"The helpline will provide practical support and advice to farmers on the TB breakdown process," he said.

The management of a TB breakdown will remain the responsibility of the local regional veterinary offices (RVO).

Commenting on the several changes he confirmed, Minister Heydon said: "The changes introduced on Monday, in addition to the changes introduced already and in place, will make a positive impact on farmers who have a TB-restricted holding as well as those farmers who are free of TB."