Agriland understands that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is concerned that the number of bovine tuberculosis (TB) reactors could reach over 60,000.

It is understood that between February 11, 2024 and February 9, 2025, the number of reactors stood at 41,318.

By comparison, in the period from February 12, 2023 to February 11, 2024, there were 29,194 reactors.

The herd incidence rate stood at 6.03% on February 9, up from 4.92% almost a year previously.

It's understood that the number of herds restricted in the period from February 11, 2024 to February 9, 2025 was 6,143.

There were 5,082 herds "locked up" with TB from February 12, 2023 to February 11, 2024.

The department has been discussing proposed measures around movement restrictions to curb the spread of bovine TB with stakeholders, but nothing has yet been agreed.

It is believed that such restrictions, if they were to be introduced, may be applied to herds with over 60 cows.

Agriland understands that the department has asked farm representatives on the TB Forum to draw up their suggestions on how to tackle the increasing incidence of TB.

The TB Forum is due to hold its next meeting in mid-March.

According to figures previously published by DAFM, total exchequer spending on bovine TB soared to just over €100 million in 2024.

This figure represents a 35% jump in the corresponding figures to the end of fourth quarter of 2023, when total expenditure on TB reached €74.2 million.

One of the key factors for the increased spend is a year-on-year increase in relation to the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV).

Over the 12 months to December 2024, OFMV – which is the main compensation measure available to herdowners whose herds comes down with TB – increased by 56% to €54.3 million – up from €34.7 million a year earlier.