New measures to help reduce TB levels on Irish farms will be coming into effect very soon, according to the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

The minister told the Irish Farmers Journal on Wednesday that his proposals to tackle the spread of TB will come with “significant cost”.

“This will be the biggest change in our approach to TB in the history of the State in 75 years. There is a process there around financial resources but also in making sure that I can put the human resources in place as well,” he said.

Extra supports for farmers affected by TB, increased blood testing and tackling wildlife are among some of the new measures proposed by the minister.