Welcome for brucellosis decision – but 'opportunity missed'

THERE HAS been an enthusiastic welcome from farming organisations for the decision by the EU Commission to give Ireland brucellosis-free status.

But IFA Deputy President Derek Deane said it was disappointing that the Minister for Agriculture had not returned the full €15m in cost reductions allowable to farmers.

"The Minister's announcement represents a missed opportunity to deliver significant savings to farmers, who have played a pivotal role in securing brucellosis-free status", he said.

"Farmers will feel let down by the Minister's failure to reward the sustained efforts of the farming community in achieving this milestone. "The IFA has identified control relaxation that will bring about major cost reductions for farmers, while at the same time protecting the national herd. These have been presented to the Minister and his senior officials as far back as October, 2008."

Mr Deane said there was was no reason why the Minister could not extend the 60 day pre-movement test to older animals and significantly reduce the level of annual blood testing. He would have to revisit that issue between now and the implementation of changes.

He added that the Minister could extend the 60 days pre-movement test requirement only to heifers over 24 months and all cows and in-calf heifers. That would represent savings of €5m for farmers, with 350,000 animals in that age bracket sold annually either farm to farm or through marts.

Extending the annual herd test requirement to 24 months would represent savings of €2.5m to farmers, but in the current climate, maintaining the annual round test was an unnecessary cost.

"The milk ring test and cull cow monitoring at factories, combined with minimal blood testing, would provide adequate national monitoring, which would return savings of €7.5m to farmers", Mr Dean concluded.

ICSA president Malcolm Thompson said that the 60 day test would afford more flexibility to farmers while at the same time preserving the precautionary principle. Exempting bulls up to 18 month from pre-sale testing was also a welcome move.

"Farmers look forward to the day when similar progress on TB can be announced," he concluded.