TB levels in cattle continued to rise again in the Republic of Ireland in the first half of this year, the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture show.

In the 12 months to 28 June, some 4.25% of herds tested had a new TB breakdown. This is an increase in herd incidence on the previous 12 months, which stood at 4%.

The total number of reactors removed in the 12 months to 28 June at 21,845, which is considerably higher than the figure for the previous 12 months of 19,285.

This highlights the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to reduce and eliminate this threat to farm families, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.

There have been between 51 and 128 new herd restrictions applied to herds in TB hotspots in Cavan, Monaghan, northwest Meath and east Cork over the last 12 months.

Testing of inconclusives

As part of the new TB eradication strategy, all inconclusive reactors are now blood-tested.

To date, 236 of these animals have been blood-tested and 159 have tested positive, the Department has confirmed.

“The removal of these infected animals prevents them spreading disease further and shows the value of the collaborative approach taken as part of the TB Forum process,” it said.

Compensation

The total expenditure on TB increased 14% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 and stood at €23,890.

Compensation to farmers under the on-farm market valuation scheme was up 31% for the same period to €8,815, vet fees were also up 31% to €4,708 and valuer fees were up 10% to €306.

Northern Ireland

There is also a rising incidence of bovine TB in Northern Ireland (NI), with the latest published figures to the end of May 2021 showing that the number of reactors removed at TB tests in the last 12 months is up 6% from 12,446 to 13,204.

Bovine TB rates remain significantly higher than those seen south of the Irish border, with the latest herd incidence (defined in NI as the number of new herd breakdowns as a proportion of the total that tested) at 8.81% for the 12 months to the end of May 2021, up from 7.78% for the previous 12 months.