Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, to increase compensation ceilings for cattle removed as TB reactors, warning that farmers are being left thousands of euro out of pocket because valuation caps have failed to keep pace with rising cattle prices.
Speaking during Oral Questions in Dáil Éireann Deputy Cooney said the current scheme was no longer fit for purpose.
“The market value caps are totally out of step with the real world and farmers are being left thousands of euro out of pocket. The Minister has publicly stated that he is reviewing these caps, but a review without an end date provides farmers with no commitment.”
In response, Minister Martin Heydon said he was “acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts bovine TB has on farmers, their families and rural Ireland” and had secured an additional €85 million for the programme in Budget 2026, bringing the total allocation to €157 million.
He said the increased funding would support the new bovine TB Action Plan and noted that more than 85% of the 11,476 animals valued under the on-farm market valuation scheme up to the end of May had fallen below the existing compensation ceilings.
Deputy Cooney welcomed the progress being made in reducing disease levels but said farmers affected by TB outbreaks were still being unfairly treated.
“I compliment the Minister on the work he is doing. Reactor numbers are down significantly year on year and that is welcome. However, this does absolutely nothing for farmers who have animals that are reactors.
“The farmers I represent are already carrying a heavy burden. Asking them to accept compensation based on valuations that are years out of date is neither fair nor sustainable. Farmers need something concrete they can take to the bank, not an endless review.”
Minister Heydon said improvements had already been made to a number of TB support schemes and that the issues raised by Deputy Cooney on compensation levels would form part of upcoming budget negotiations.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Cooney urged the Minister to act without further delay.
“Every month this drags on, more and more reactors are being removed at values set three years ago, while cattle prices continue to climb. Fairness delayed is fairness denied. These hardworking farming families deserve compensation that reflects the true value of the animals they are losing.”