Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has come in for some negative comment recently. One of the big issues among farmers is the continuing costly BVD testing scheme. AHI chair Mike Magan accepts some responsibility.

He said: “Some farmers have said AHI were naive in expecting BVD to be sorted within a short time frame? Maybe we were, and, if so, I take responsibility for that naivety because I thought farmers would do the right thing when advised and get rid of identified diseased (PI calves) when advised. We now have the tools to complete the job and our most recent statistics show the retention of PI animals on farm is reducing.”

On the positive side, many farmers would say given the small number of full-time employees and small budget relative to some other organisations, AHI has done an incredible job on many herd health issues – CellCheck, Beefhealthcheck, CalfCare awareness etc.

Funding concerns

Ongoing and increasing AHI funding is another issue causing concern.

The AHI structure is that the main milk and meat processors make a contribution relative to their supply pool and the Government matches these funds.

So, effectively, farmers are not contributing directly. Or are they? Farmers will make the case that a disease levy is collected on product sold, so effectively they are contributing, or what else are those funds spent on? This is a question for the Department to answer. Surely the best use of these funds is to redirect them to herd health issues?

Our Department is right to invest in herd health – think of the billions in trade – they want the best possible international image. Think of the exports, not to mention the whole climate, emissions and sustainability issues because healthier animals have positive impact on all of these. Don’t forget herd health issues can cause serious stress at farm level, not to mention cost.

The benefit for Ireland to get rid of BVD is €102m every year

Recent consultations with stakeholders about setting up new Johne’s disease control programmes have also been met with very differing views.

Is the AHI trying to do too much? Should other programmes be shelved before it takes on a new conquest? What is the return for the farmer/industry on the existing programmes?

It is this last question on return on investment that I asked Magan to focus on.

He said: “The return is huge. BVD has a 10 to one return, and this return continues after the investment is made. The benefit for Ireland to get rid of BVD is €102m every year and this is an independently audited figure.

Viral diseases don’t patiently wait in line

Magan is quick to get back on the question about AHI taking on too much. He says viral diseases don’t patiently wait in line while we tackle them one by one so we need to work more broadly and ambition should not be considered a negative.

Beef farmers now receive information on how efficient their dosing and parasite control programmes are through liver and lung analysis on 65% of the national kill. This is a huge untapped resource. These results will give valuable information to farmers on the timing of dosing and if there resistance building up, or if dosing is necessary at all.

Johne’s – while some would say its not a problem for Ireland, doing nothing would appear foolhardy.

Pilot schemes have indicated that 25% of the national dairy herd have some Johne’s present. I understand an imminent expert report will suggest Johne’s prevalence will grow if left unmanaged. We need to give reassurance to international markets that we are managing on-farm challenges.

IBR

IBR is another one for which it is difficult to show a return directly, yet there are tangible measures. There are production cost implications at farm level, not to mention the international implications in terms of trade.

Magan said: “Bottom line – we can talk numbers all day, but independent analysis shows the ‘not yet completed’ BVD programme is delivering €66m per year already. Animal health issues should never be a trading barrier. Brexit could be a trade barrier to dairy exports out of Ireland, but let’s ensure animal health is never a barrier. The hand of the State is required and equally farm organisations must have ownership.

"Veterinary Ireland, the animal health industry, the universities, Teagasc – all play vital roles in Animal Health Ireland. Our link to ICBF is vital.”

Animal health Ireland – at a crossroads?

With chief executive Joe O’Flaherty recently announcing intentions to step down from Animal Health Ireland, the Irish Farmers Journal sat down with chair Mike Magan to discuss.