Every livestock farmer in the country is facing a new vet bill of approximately €150 as a result of new animal health legislation which is working its way through European Parliament.

The regulation would require vets to carry out inspections, separate from annual blood tests, on all livestock in the country.

This inspection would carry an added expense for farmers.

Bert Stewart, IFA’s Animal Health Committee chairman, has urged European officials and the next grouping of MEPs to reject the proposals.

“The animal health law recognises the professional competency of farmers. They are ultimately responsible for both the health and welfare of the animals under their care, therefore the imposition of a compulsory animal health visit is an unnecessary and unacceptable cost burden. This proposal must be strongly rejected.”

The legislation was agreed by the Greek presidency of the EU and was also discussed at the plenary session in the European Parliament last week. It could be introduced later this year or early next year.

With 115,000 livestock farmers in the country, the EU is set to hand Irish farmers a total vet bill of €20m.