As I understand it, Minister Creed is visiting the RVL as part in a review into the future of the country's six labs.

The Irish Farmers Journal exclusively reported earlier this year that a major review of the RVL structures is under way, with fears that as many as five of the labs could be closed down.

Minister Creed is getting a tour of the RVL to assess what would be required to upgrade facilities if a decision is made not to close it down.

Fears over the future of the RVL network in Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Athlone and Backweston have been expressed by farm organisations as well as agribusinesses.

RVLs play a critical role in the monitoring and control of diseases such as foot and mouth and BSE.

Background

For those of you reading and not familiar with the story, a major review of the RVLs took place earlier this year.

As reported in this publication, a working group was tasked with bringing forward recommendations on the future of the labs.

It recommended to keep the RVLs in Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, Backweston, Sligo and Athlone open.

However, a second recommendation from the group was to, in time, close the RVLs in Limerick, Sligo and Kilkenny, with an upgrading of the facilities at the other three labs.

A third recommendation was to close all RVLs except Backweston and put vans on the road to carry out the roles of vets in the various RVLs.

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