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The controversial issue of additional controls on herds with TB has not been an easy sell for the Department of Agriculture.
The Department has warned more stringent controls are necessary if the disease is to be eradicated, but farm organisations are not in favour of the proposals.
Among the controversial measures the Department wants discussed are:
• Extended restrictions on herds with recent TB infections, to prevent them trading with clear herds.
• Categorisation of all herds to limit trade to between herds of the same risk status or lower for selling cattle or higher for buying in cattle.
• Alternately, risk categories based on area rather than herd, with the same trading restrictions.
• Making an animal's TB history available to a purchaser.
• A way to incentivise herd owners by linking compensation with actions taken to reduce TB risk.
Opposition
IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell opposes tighter controls, saying that farmers are currently not fully compensated for outbreaks. He also planned to raise the 30-day pre-movement test proposed under revised EU rules.
The TB forum on Wednesday was also expected to decide whether or not the Beef Plan Movement should be invited to take part in the group.
SHARING OPTIONS: