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Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has been called on to take control of the TB situation and convene discussions with farmers as a matter of urgency.
The Minister has committed to reconvening the TB Forum as soon as possible. IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell said farmers had to be given proportionate representation at the table along with real input into the programme.
“The TB Forum process has failed and it is time to get back to basics and deal with the real drivers of TB,” Farrell said.
Arrangements are currently beginning finalised for the date, agenda and logistics of the meeting, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Action
Farrell welcomed Minister McConalogue’s recognition in the Dáil on Tuesday of the stress, trauma and cost burden TB imposes on farm families.
The Minister highlighted that there are 2,700 herds currently restricted, an increase of 21% on the same time last year.
Minister McConalogue would be judged on his actions by way of financial supports, not on words and promises, Farrell stressed.
“Farmers don’t need to be reminded of the increases in TB. We are the people dealing with the impact on our farms. That’s why [the] IFA wants meaningful discussions to resolve the issue,” he said.
Defence
The Department has staunchly defended its TB risk letters, which ignited the current farmer anger at the TB programme.
It’s claim that the letters were an attempt to reduce the levels of TB were not credible, Farrell said, adding that no scientific papers showed devaluing animals lowered TB risk.
He said the Department’s approach ran the risk of increasing movements from herds categorised as high-risk as opportunistic buyers would take advantage of 'blacklisted' farmers.
He questioned if the real agenda behind the letters was to introduce restrictions on the movement of animals from herds of a higher status.
This was an approach taken in Australia, a country regularly referenced by the Department as justification for TB risk categories.
Issues
According to the animal health chair, Department studies showed only 7.5% of TB breakdowns related to animal movements.
The three key areas that needed to be addressed are wildlife, on-farm investigation and fair financial supports for farmers while this is taking place, Farrell said.
“Minister McConalogue has a huge opportunity to make real progress by respecting farmers’ views and opinions and ensuring they are included in the programme, which didn’t happen in the failed TB Forum process,” he said.
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