Sinn Fein spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny TD, is calling for a review of TB regulations in beef-controlled finishing units (CFU) feedlots as a matter of urgency.

Teachta Kenny said:

“TB reactor cattle has risen from 29,194 in 2023 to 41,319 in 2024. It is obvious that the TB eradication programme is not working, and that we need a review.

“In response to a recent parliamentary question, where I asked the Minister for Agriculture about TB reactors in CFU herds, I was informed that 663 restricted herds were contiguous to CFU herds. There are currently I believe only 455 CFU herds in Ireland. The data would suggest that the majority, if not all, CFU herds are contiguous to a restricted herd.

“I have been contacted by farmers throughout the country who are currently locked up with TB and they believe that infection is coming from CFU herds adjacent to their land. There are as we know strict criteria for having CFU such as double fencing or walled fencing to prevent contact with a contiguous herd.

“However, this does not seem to be enough, walls and fences will not stop wildlife such as badgers roaming from one farm to another.

“I am calling on the Minister to establish a review of the TB regulations for CFU’s. We need to start bringing down the number of TB reactor cattle because at present the TB eradication program is not working. We are not even managing TB at present in this state, never mind eradicating it.”