Over 340 herds in the Shannonside region are currently restricted as a result of bovine tuberculosis.
During a recent Oireachtas debate Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said his department is continuously working with the TB forum on the implementation strategy for eradication.
He feels Ireland continues to have relatively low infection rates.
Roscommon is recording the highest number of herds restricted in the region so far this year at 151, this is followed by 111 in Longford.
In Leitrim almost 80 herds are now restricted in the county.
Research carried out by the TB forum found the main causes of TB and its spread includes the movement of cattle with undetected infection, residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB, the spread of disease across farm boundaries or infection passed from badgers to cattle.
New regulations which came into force at the beginning of the month means cattle over 36 months of age that are moving from farm to farm or through a mart must be TB tested in the last six months, or be tested within 30 days following the movement.
Nationally a total of 4475 herds are currently restricted, a drop of 115 during the same period last year.
