Ruth Coppinger
Question:31. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of badgers culled in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52311/26]
View answerThursday, 9 July 2026
Questions (31)
Written answers
The Bovine TB (bTB) Eradication Programme includes actions to address the risk of TB transmission from badgers to cattle. My Department implements two main control strategies in relation to this risk: removal of badgers, and vaccination of badgers. These are carried out in areas around the country where there have been epidemiological links associating badgers with bovine TB breakdowns. The number of badgers culled in the past year is 7,639.
I launched the ‘Bovine TB Action Plan: Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland’ in September 2025 which includes 5 measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific research and veterinary expertise.
Support herds free of bTB to remain free
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB
The aim of the Action Plan is to reset the TB programme by putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation. These measures are targeting both transmission between wildlife and cattle and transmission between cattle.
One of the key actions in Measure 2: Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB is to include a Test Vaccinate Remove approach to badger vaccination that will ensure that only healthy badgers will be vaccinated thus further improving the effectiveness of my Department's wildlife programme.