October 2026 – Healthier Animals. Stronger Sector. AHI Launches Its 2026–2030 Strategy

Healthier Animals. Stronger Sector. This is the ambition behind Animal Health Ireland’s new Strategy 2026–2030. The Strategy sets out a five-year roadmap to improve livestock health and welfare, strengthen disease prevention and support the long-term sustainability of Irish farming.

Building on almost two decades of progress, the strategy outlines how AHI will work alongside farmers, veterinary practitioners, advisors and industry partners to deliver practical, science-based solutions to the animal health challenges facing Irish agriculture.

With increasing pressures from animal diseases, changing market requirements and antimicrobial resistance, the strategy places a renewed emphasis on prevention, early intervention and making animal health information more accessible.

What does this mean for Irish agriculture?

The new strategy will see AHI take a more sector-focused approach, with dedicated priorities for dairy, beef, sheep and non-ruminant livestock.

For farmers, this means more targeted animal health advice, stronger disease prevention programmes and better access to information to support decision-making on farm. For veterinary practitioners and industry partners, it means greater opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge and strengthen Ireland’s animal health credentials.

Alongside building on established programmes such as BVD, CellCheck, Beef HealthCheck and Pig HealthCheck, AHI has identified several key initiatives for the years ahead:

• A new national sheep health programme, supporting improved health and welfare across Irish flocks.
• An AHI Healthy Animal Portal, providing a central source of animal health information and practical guidance.
• An early warning system, helping farmers, vets and industry identify emerging disease threats and take preventative action.
• A national animal health scorecard, providing greater visibility of livestock health trends and progress.
• Expanded disease prevention and control programmes, including continued progress towards BVD freedom and the development of voluntary IBR control.

Building on progress, planning for the future

AHI’s work has already delivered significant improvements in livestock health, including a reduction of more than 97% in BVD since 2013 and substantial improvements in milk quality through CellCheck.

The new strategy aims to build on these achievements while responding to the evolving needs of Irish farming.

At its heart is a continued commitment to independent science, industry collaboration and practical advice that helps farmers make informed decisions to protect their animals, improve productivity and reduce disease risks.

Healthier animals mean stronger farms, a more resilient agricultural sector and a better future for Irish farming.

Explore the full AHI Strategy 2026–2030 to learn more about the priorities and initiatives that will shape our work over the next five years.