A six-week DARD consultation is to be launched later this week that will propose further relaxation of brucellosis controls in Northern Ireland.
The last confirmed case of brucellosis here was back in February 2012, meaning that DARD is now in a position to apply to the European Commission for cattle from NI to be declared free of the disease.
“The chief veterinary officer will now begin the formal process of applying to the EU Commission for Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) status and hopes to have this granted later this year,” Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said last week.
The first step in relaxing controls was made in November 2014 when the age threshold for pre-movement testing was increased from 12 to 24 months and the movement window extended from 30 to 60 days (for cattle movements within NI).
Despite the current low risk, Minister O’Neill has asked farmers to remain vigilant, comply with current testing requirements and report all abortions to their local veterinary office.
Latest estimates put the cost of brucellosis testing at £8m per year to taxpayers and £7m per year in compliance costs to farmers.
Thurs 5 March
Sinn Féin agricultural and rural roadshow, Donn Carragh Hotel, Lisnaskea, 7.30pm.DARD meeting on proposed rural proofing bill, Community Forum, Omagh, 2pm to 4pm. Register to attend TN 9052 4106.Fri 6 March
Charolais Cattle Club, show 11am, sale 1pm, Dungannon Mart.DARD meeting on proposed rural proofing bill, Glenshane House, Dungiven, 2pm to 4pm. Register to attend TN 9052 4106.Sat 7 March
PSNI rural crime and safety event, Drumhilla Farm (Corries Meats) Crossnamuckley Road, Newtownards, 10am to 3pm. Farm families health check van present from 11am to 5pm.Dispersal sale scanned 320 Texel/Suffolk ewes for Bobby Rutledge on farm at 97 Drumquin Rd, Castlederg, 2pmNI Aberdeen Angus Club, dinner and prize-giving, Ballinderry Inn, 8pm. Tickets from Gail Matchett TN 07732 126273.Mon 9 March
Sinn Féin agricultural and rural roadshow with Pat Doherty MP and Michelle O’Neill, MLA, Aghyaran Centre, Co Tyrone, 7.30pm.Suckler heifer sale, 20 springers for Robert Arrell and Son, Armoy Mart, 8.30pm.Tues 10 March
DARD CAP reform roadshow, Roe Park resort, Limavady, 2pm to 4.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm.Wed 11 March
Lemken machinery evening at John McElderry’s, Market St, Ballymoney, 6pm to 10pm.Thurs 12 March
DARD CAP reform roadshow, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch, 2pm to 4.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm.Fri 13 March
Irish National Holstein Show, Sales Arena, Moira. Judging at 6.30pm.Potato/vegetable growers in Brussels meeting
Potato and vegetable growers from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) have met with European Commission officials on Wednesday of this week to discuss the difficulties they are currently experiencing accessing land in NI due to active farmer rules.
The meeting was facilitated by local MEP Jim Nicholson.
Speaking afterwards, he said that the meeting was positive, and the onus was now on DARD to try to identify a solution for the Commission to consider what would be workable on the ground. He maintained that there may be flexibility and options within the CAP reform package that have not been fully explored.
“Given the nature of this issue time is clearly of the essence. I urge the Department to make the most of this opportunity. It must quickly work with the industry to identify an alternative way forward that could both work and is acceptable to the European Commission,” said Nicholson.
The frustration of growers is being acutely felt in certain parts of NI.
One potato grower who contacted the Irish Farmers Journal pointed out that downsizing his business this year is not an easy option given the repayments required on machinery, equipment and storage. He was also critical of DARD officials for their inability to find a solution to the problem facing growers.
“South of the border, a solution would have been found but up here there was and is no such appetite in DARD.
In late July 2014, they also brushed off our interest in obtaining a protein payment as well – apparently it couldn’t be done but low and behold one appears in 2015 in the Republic of Ireland. The ‘can do’ attitude prevails yet again,” he said.
Scotland moving to next phase of BVD testing
From 1 June 2015, farmers in Scotland with breeding cattle herds will move to Phase 4 of their bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme when those who do not have a valid ‘‘negative’’ status for the disease will have movement restrictions imposed.
It means that cattle can only move direct to slaughter unless they have been individually tested for BVD. As of last month, around 1,300 farmers in Scotland had let their BVD status slip.
The scheme in use in Scotland is slightly different to that in place on both sides of the Irish border.
To comply with the scheme requirements in Ireland, all animals must be individually sampled by using tissue tags inserted shortly after birth. In Scotland, herds with a ‘‘negative’’ status can blood test a sample of calves from within a group, to maintain their BVD status.
BVD schemes are compulsory in both Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, although a similar scheme continues to suffer delay in NI.
Arable society concern for Crossnacreevy
With the plant testing station at Crossnacreevy expected to be axed as part of the cuts facing the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the Ulster Arable Society has highlighted the consequences for the sector.
In a statement, the society said: “This recommendation will, if implemented, leave the arable sector in Northern Ireland devoid of any local research capability.
‘‘The fear must be that a similar fate will befall all but the major enterprises, leaving the others to struggle into decline devoid of any local scientific support.”
The society has written to Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill seeking clarification on the criteria used to decide what parts of AFBI research are stopped.
It points out that local research is vital given the prevailing climate, soil type and disease pressures unique to NI.
A six-week DARD consultation is to be launched later this week that will propose further relaxation of brucellosis controls in Northern Ireland.
The last confirmed case of brucellosis here was back in February 2012, meaning that DARD is now in a position to apply to the European Commission for cattle from NI to be declared free of the disease.
“The chief veterinary officer will now begin the formal process of applying to the EU Commission for Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) status and hopes to have this granted later this year,” Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said last week.
The first step in relaxing controls was made in November 2014 when the age threshold for pre-movement testing was increased from 12 to 24 months and the movement window extended from 30 to 60 days (for cattle movements within NI).
Despite the current low risk, Minister O’Neill has asked farmers to remain vigilant, comply with current testing requirements and report all abortions to their local veterinary office.
Latest estimates put the cost of brucellosis testing at £8m per year to taxpayers and £7m per year in compliance costs to farmers.
Thurs 5 March
Sinn Féin agricultural and rural roadshow, Donn Carragh Hotel, Lisnaskea, 7.30pm.DARD meeting on proposed rural proofing bill, Community Forum, Omagh, 2pm to 4pm. Register to attend TN 9052 4106.Fri 6 March
Charolais Cattle Club, show 11am, sale 1pm, Dungannon Mart.DARD meeting on proposed rural proofing bill, Glenshane House, Dungiven, 2pm to 4pm. Register to attend TN 9052 4106.Sat 7 March
PSNI rural crime and safety event, Drumhilla Farm (Corries Meats) Crossnamuckley Road, Newtownards, 10am to 3pm. Farm families health check van present from 11am to 5pm.Dispersal sale scanned 320 Texel/Suffolk ewes for Bobby Rutledge on farm at 97 Drumquin Rd, Castlederg, 2pmNI Aberdeen Angus Club, dinner and prize-giving, Ballinderry Inn, 8pm. Tickets from Gail Matchett TN 07732 126273.Mon 9 March
Sinn Féin agricultural and rural roadshow with Pat Doherty MP and Michelle O’Neill, MLA, Aghyaran Centre, Co Tyrone, 7.30pm.Suckler heifer sale, 20 springers for Robert Arrell and Son, Armoy Mart, 8.30pm.Tues 10 March
DARD CAP reform roadshow, Roe Park resort, Limavady, 2pm to 4.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm.Wed 11 March
Lemken machinery evening at John McElderry’s, Market St, Ballymoney, 6pm to 10pm.Thurs 12 March
DARD CAP reform roadshow, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch, 2pm to 4.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm.Fri 13 March
Irish National Holstein Show, Sales Arena, Moira. Judging at 6.30pm.Potato/vegetable growers in Brussels meeting
Potato and vegetable growers from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) have met with European Commission officials on Wednesday of this week to discuss the difficulties they are currently experiencing accessing land in NI due to active farmer rules.
The meeting was facilitated by local MEP Jim Nicholson.
Speaking afterwards, he said that the meeting was positive, and the onus was now on DARD to try to identify a solution for the Commission to consider what would be workable on the ground. He maintained that there may be flexibility and options within the CAP reform package that have not been fully explored.
“Given the nature of this issue time is clearly of the essence. I urge the Department to make the most of this opportunity. It must quickly work with the industry to identify an alternative way forward that could both work and is acceptable to the European Commission,” said Nicholson.
The frustration of growers is being acutely felt in certain parts of NI.
One potato grower who contacted the Irish Farmers Journal pointed out that downsizing his business this year is not an easy option given the repayments required on machinery, equipment and storage. He was also critical of DARD officials for their inability to find a solution to the problem facing growers.
“South of the border, a solution would have been found but up here there was and is no such appetite in DARD.
In late July 2014, they also brushed off our interest in obtaining a protein payment as well – apparently it couldn’t be done but low and behold one appears in 2015 in the Republic of Ireland. The ‘can do’ attitude prevails yet again,” he said.
Scotland moving to next phase of BVD testing
From 1 June 2015, farmers in Scotland with breeding cattle herds will move to Phase 4 of their bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme when those who do not have a valid ‘‘negative’’ status for the disease will have movement restrictions imposed.
It means that cattle can only move direct to slaughter unless they have been individually tested for BVD. As of last month, around 1,300 farmers in Scotland had let their BVD status slip.
The scheme in use in Scotland is slightly different to that in place on both sides of the Irish border.
To comply with the scheme requirements in Ireland, all animals must be individually sampled by using tissue tags inserted shortly after birth. In Scotland, herds with a ‘‘negative’’ status can blood test a sample of calves from within a group, to maintain their BVD status.
BVD schemes are compulsory in both Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, although a similar scheme continues to suffer delay in NI.
Arable society concern for Crossnacreevy
With the plant testing station at Crossnacreevy expected to be axed as part of the cuts facing the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the Ulster Arable Society has highlighted the consequences for the sector.
In a statement, the society said: “This recommendation will, if implemented, leave the arable sector in Northern Ireland devoid of any local research capability.
‘‘The fear must be that a similar fate will befall all but the major enterprises, leaving the others to struggle into decline devoid of any local scientific support.”
The society has written to Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill seeking clarification on the criteria used to decide what parts of AFBI research are stopped.
It points out that local research is vital given the prevailing climate, soil type and disease pressures unique to NI.
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