Local Farming: Tackling Bovine TB together, on both sides of the border

On February 19, I was present at the launch of the Shared Island TB Project at the farm of William Gregg in Newtowncunningham.

The project represents a significant development in how bovine tuberculosis (TB) may be addressed on a regional basis across the island of Ireland.

The pilot initiative, jointly launched by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD and Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Andrew Muir MLA, will operate across a defined study area covering north-east Donegal and north-west Northern Ireland.

The project is based on the recognition that bovine TB operates within a shared epidemiological landscape. Disease transmission is not confined by administrative boundaries, and the movement of livestock and wildlife across the border has long been identified as a contributing factor in the persistence of infection.

This five-year pilot programme aims to test the effectiveness of a coordinated regional approach to disease control. Through enhanced cooperation between the Departments, North and South, the project will seek to establish a proof of concept for joint TB management measures.

The objectives include: Reducing disease incidence; Lowering reactor numbers; Improving long-term eradication outcomes; Delivering potential efficiencies in public expenditure.

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The total projected cost of the programme is €11.7 million, with €6.5m being provided through the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund. The remaining funding will be contributed by the respective Departments in both jurisdictions.

The interconnected nature of agricultural challenges across the island was highlighted, and also noted that cross-border cooperation will play an important role in addressing common issues such as animal health.

Minister Heydon emphasised the importance of tackling TB within what is effectively a single epidemiological unit, stating that a coordinated approach to disease control and eradication is both logical and necessary.

Minister Muir underlined the importance of farmer engagement in shaping future policy outcomes, noting that the insights and practical experience of producers will be central to informing future strategies.

Following stakeholder engagement in late 2025, the project will continue its scoping phase in the coming months. Research strands are expected to examine multiple pathways of disease transmission and persistence.

The programme is intended to take a holistic approach, incorporating a range of measures rather than relying on any single intervention. These measures include cattle testing, farmer biosecurity training, wildlife management, and expanded research and data collection.

From a regional farming perspective, the project has the potential to support improved herd health outcomes over time by addressing the structural challenges associated with cross-border disease management.

If successful, the pilot could provide an evidence base for wider implementation of coordinated TB control strategies across the island. While outcomes will take time to materialise, the initiative represents a structured attempt to align policy, research, and on-farm realities in the ongoing effort to reduce and ultimately eradicate bovine TB.