Bovine TB in Ireland continues to be a significant challenge and will be discussed at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine today (Tuesday 9 March).
Key stakeholders will appear before the committee to discuss how to bring about the eradication of the disease.
Committee chair Jackie Cahill, TD, said: “In 2016 Ireland reached a historical low number of Bovine TB cases. However, it has increased each year since and 2020 saw an acceleration of the disease.
“The financial cost of the Bovine TB Programme is estimated to be over €97 million in 2020 – which is a €15 million increase since 2015.”
January’s Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021 – 2030 sets out a roadmap with the aim to eradicate Bovine TB in Ireland.
The first session this evening at 6.30pm will involve discussions with representatives from Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) and Macra na Feirme.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will hold a second session afterwards at 7.30pm.
“Ireland is the only EU member state with a continuing significant Bovine TB challenge. This is reflected in the ongoing reductions in EU co-funding support for the Bovine TB Programme, raising further funding challenges for farmers and the Irish state,” Mr Cahill concluded.