13th April 2002
News
13th April 2002
News |
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Beef and milk schemes stalled
By Des Maguire
Vets have effectively withdrawn from farm inspections for the new National Beef Assurance and Dairy Hygiene Schemes, even though this action has not yet been officially
confirmed.
Their organisation Veterinary Ireland has called for a suspension of both schemes for a year until agreement can be secured between the Department, the farm organisations and vets on who will foot the bill for inspections under both schemes.
The vets want to be centrally paid by the Department of Agriculture for certification work under both schemes but the Department has rejected this request as a non-runner.
Both schemes were to have started at the same time as the T.B. and Brucellosis rounds which commenced last month.
However vets at ground level have told farmers that they are not in a position to begin inspections for the National Beef Assurance scheme because payment arrangements and operating details have not been finalised.
The farm organisations are also opposing the legitimacy of the "Veterinary Dairy Audit Checklist" which vets want dairy farmers to complete before they sign off health certificates for dairy cows. The vets want this protocol to be agreed by dairy farmers even though it requires far more compliance from dairy farmers than the requirements in the Department's official form.
This week the Department of Agriculture stressed that farmers would have to pay for the cost of inspections under the Beef Assurance Scheme, maintaining that the relevant legislation as enacted states that: "Any costs incurred in securing a certificate of approval are the responsibility of the applicant."
"This provision is unambiguous and the Department is proceeding strictly in line with the legislation," a spokesman said.
ICMSA president Pat O'Rourke claimed this week that he had secured the active support of the agricultural spokesmen for Fine Gael and Labour for a Government-funded National Beef Assurance Scheme.
"Both Alan Dukes and Willie Penrose have agreed that the veterinary fees to carry out farm inspections under the scheme should be funded by the Department of Agriculture," he said.
"Indeed the position of the two main Opposition parties on this matter is totally consistent with the wish of Dail Eireann during the passing of the NBAS Act. where a Government commitment was given by the then Minister of State Ned that no costs on farmers would be involved."
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Copyright © : The Irish Farmers Journal 2002 |
