Summit on tuberculosis not before time – Martin Kenny TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny TD, has said that the Minister’s decision to call a summit to address the increasing tuberculosis (TB) rates is not before time.

Teachta Kenny said:

“We have seen significant increases in TB rates over the past few years, rising 36% between 2022 and 2024.  There was a total of 41,630 reactor cattle in 2024.  This has a devastating impact on farm families throughout the country. 

“We need to get real and tackle the problem –  it is not before time that the Minster called this summit.

“While it is stressful enough for farmers to have to send their cattle to slaughter the department has added to that stress with the delays in paying out compensation to farmers.

“The Minister says that he plans to revamp the eradication plan. While this is welcome, I hope that he listens to farmers and stakeholders at this summit and takes on board what they have to say. 

“What the Department has proposed up to now is not workable for farmers, penalising and blaming farmers for this problem is not the way to go. There can be no reduction in compensation rates, and we cannot have a situation where herds are in prolonged restrictions and the blacklisting of farmers with herd restriction categorisation.

“I hope that the Minister invites farmers and stakeholders from the North to this summit as TB does not stop at the border.  TB is a serious issue for famers in the North just as it is here.  We need an all-Ireland approach to eradicating TB.”