Ireland: Minister must guarantee farmers won’t pay for additional TB tests

Published 2023년 1월 12일

Tridge summary

Independent TD Carol Nolan has called on Minister Charlie McConalogue to assure farmers that they will not be expected to cover additional costs for bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing. This comes as the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum introduces new rules requiring cows and male animals moving between farms or through marts to be tested within a certain timeframe. These rules are to be implemented in phases, with animals that fail to meet the criteria to be tested within 30 days before or after movement. In the event that testing is not done within this timeframe, the receiving herd will be restricted, with a potential whole herd test after a 90-day period.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has been urged to guarantee that farmers will not be required to finance additional bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing obligations. “Explicit guarantees” that farmers will not be burdened with additional costs for increased TB testing or control must be provided, independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan has said. Deputy Nolan met with concerned farmers who fear that proposals are being put in place to ensure they will bear the cost of all TB testing above and beyond the single annual test. “The farmers I am speaking to are well aware that the issue of additional payments for TB testing was deferred by The Financial Working Group of the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum until February 2023,” the deputy said. However, they are concerned that further payments will be demanded from them despite the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) opposing any such move, she added. ...

Source: AgriLand