The incidence of TB in Irish cattle remains stubbornly high, with figures presented at the TB forum last week showing that over 6% of herds were locked up with the disease over the last year.

The number of TB reactors identified in the 12 months from 11 February 2024 to 9 February 2025 was 41,318, the Department of Agriculture stated.

This was 41% higher than the number of reactors identified in the previous 12 months (12 February 2023 to 11 February 2024) when the figure stood at 29,194.

The number of herds restricted in the 12 months from 11 February 2024 to 9 February 2025 was 6,134.

Steady rise

This figure has risen steadily over the last 12 months. It stood at 5,082 in February 2024, but had increased to 5,900 by last October.

The TB herd incidence rate at the moment is 6.03%, up from 4.92% in February last year.

A Department map identified the northeast - north Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth - as among the worst affected areas for TB at the moment.

Other areas which have been particularly badly hit include west Wicklow, the Blackwater Valley in north Cork, west Cork, parts of north Kerry and east Limerick, and north Kilkenny and south Laois, as well as north Tipperary and west Offaly.

No fresh initiatives on tackling the spread of TB were presented by the Department. The various stakeholders were asked to consult with their memberships and present proposals in the coming weeks which would be discussed at bilateral meetings.

It had been anticipated that the Department would seek support for tighter restrictions on the movement of animals from herds which had suffered multiple TB breakdowns in the past.

This proposal was floated by the Department earlier in the year, but was opposed by the Irish Farmers' Association and the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society.