New figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show a total 43,290 bovine tuberculosis (TB) reactors were identified in the 12 months to June 2025.

DAFM's latest National Bovine Tuberculosis Statistics also outline that by the end of quarter two (Q2) 2025, 6,449 herds were restricted on a 12-month rolling basis.

The department confirmed that by June 29 of this year herd incidence had soared to 6.40% compared to 5.17% in June 2024.

The increase in reactor numbers in the 12 months to June of this year resulted in a corresponding jump in overall spending on the TB progamme to the end of Q2 to more than €52.01 million.

This represents a 21% year-on-year jump in total expenditure compared to the same quarter last year.

One key trend evident in the latest DAFM figures is the continued increase year-on-year in On Farm Market Valuation (OFMV) "due to strong market values".

The OFMV is according to DAFM the "principal compensation measure available to herd-owners" whose herds come down with TB.

"The scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings," the department has stated.

OFMV "is the main contributor to the increase in TB programme expenditure over the last three years", according to DAFM.

The latest National Bovine Tuberculosis Statistics detail that the total OFMV spend up to end of June 2025 jumped to €26.1 million - up 22% compared to the corresponding spend by Q2 2024.

However, the latest figures also highlight a decrease on wildlife control in the TB programme, which fell by 30% to just over €4 million.

In contrast, vet fees in relation to the TB programme soared by 28% to €8.6 million.