Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
855. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional funding will be allocated for biosecurity training programmes for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7503/26]
View answer858. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of site inspections conducted by his Department for biosecurity compliance in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 855 and 858 together.
My Department does not conduct site inspections specifically for biosecurity compliance. In late 2025 I launched the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy, to provide coherence and direction nationally for industry and stakeholders in relation to the vital area of biosecurity.
The 2025 Biosecurity Target Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) operated by Animal health Ireland on behalf of my Department, supported the provision of specialised training to private veterinary practitioners in conducting on farm animal health, welfare and biosecurity assessments.
TASAH provides on farm advisory services to herd/flock owners with a focus in the following programmes: Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication Programme, Irish Johne’s Disease Control Programme, Bovine Tuberculosis – Biosecurity Consult, National Mastitis Programmes (Cell Check Dry Cow Consults / Cell Check Cell Count Solutions), Pig Health check Programme (Biocheck Biosecurity, Welfare-Tail-biting and salmonella control.), Poultry Biocheck Biosecurity and Parasite control strategies in bovines, equines, ovines.
5% of TASAH visits are audited through a combination of engagement by my Department with both farmers and PVPs who carried out the TASAH visits.
In 2025, a total of € 8,215,622.38 was spent my Department under the 2025 Biosecurity TASAH providing 28,846 TASAH visits aimed at improving on-farm biosecurity. In 2026, a budget of €8,600,000 has been allocated to continue the TASAHs Programme with a focus on reviewing biosecurity in farms and delivering recommendations to herd/flock herds, including dairy/beef and sheep farms to improve biosecurity across the country.
