Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said on September 15 that progress in reducing bovine tuberculosis means eradication of the disease is once again a realistic conversation. Speaking at the Agriland tent at the National Ploughing Championships, he said that when he took office a year and a half ago "you couldn't have that conversation with any credibility".

The figures support him so far. On a rolling 12-month basis to June 28, 2026, herd incidence stood at 5.32%, down from 6.4% a year earlier, and the number of restricted herds fell to 5,300 from 6,449 in the corresponding period. The Bovine TB Action Plan launched just over a year ago to curb rising disease rates is "backed by science", he said: "If we stick with that I guarantee you we'll be on the right road."

Asked about department data showing 28 vets suspended from TB testing between January 2024 and March 2026, Heydon said that should reassure rather than shake confidence. "We are asking a lot of farmers but I'm asking a lot of private veterinary practitioners as well," he said. He did not believe anyone set out to test badly, but a vet who had done it for years might share the view that "we're never going to crack this" — and "we can't have anyone being lax because we can crack this".

The On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme, part of the action plan, drew more than 1,100 applications for grants towards fencing off badger setts and buying feed and water troughs designed to keep badgers and cattle apart — less take-up than the minister wanted. He confirmed it will open again next year.

On research, Heydon drew a contrast with Covid-19, whose vaccine came quickly because every country funded the work. "Bovine TB is specific to us and Britain and after that it's not a problem for anybody else," he said; Australia and New Zealand effectively eradicated it, so no one else is spending on research, which makes Ireland's research partnership with the UK in particular, and with New Zealand, "really, really important". Aisling O'Brien reported for Agriland.

Source: Agriland