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Dairy farmers in NI who are members of the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme have until 1 October 2020 to sign up to a Johne’s Disease control programme.
A local voluntary scheme has been developed by Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI), and involves an on-farm review by an approved veterinary practitioner, alongside the farmer.
Testing is not currently mandatory in the programme
The aim of this veterinary risk assessment and management plan (VRAMP) is to identify any issues in management that could lead to the introduction and/or spread of the disease, and to provide recommendations on how risks can be minimised.
To comply with the programme, the results of the VRAMP must be uploaded to AHWNI annually. Testing is not currently mandatory in the programme, but it is highly recommended that all animals over two years old are screened each year.
As part of the programme, farmers should not sell on animals that have had a positive or inconclusive result, except to a beef finishing unit or direct to slaughter.
Farmers wishing to join the programme should contact their local vet.
Red Tractor hits 10,000
Meanwhile, Red Tractor Farm Assurance has now concluded over 10,000 remote farm assessments across the UK in recent weeks.
A new system based on uploading records to an online portal, and video calls, was rolled out in early April.
In NI, pig, poultry and dairy farmers are members of the Red Tractor scheme
With farm visits suspended, and because some members were not able to do calls due to poor network connections, undertaking an audit was not compulsory. But in early July, Red Tractor re-introduced that requirement for scheme membership, at the same time as re-introducing farm-based inspections. In NI, pig, poultry and dairy farmers are members of the Red Tractor scheme.
Remote assessments will continue, but if a farm has poor connectivity or technology issues, then an on-farm inspection is required. Physical inspections have also re-commenced for anyone wanting to join the scheme, or with a history of non-compliance with scheme rules.
However, that creates some issues for farmers in NI, particularly Lakeland suppliers who are under pressure to join the scheme before a 0.5p/l penalty is applied for September milk. One farmer who contacted the Irish Farmers Journal this week said that he had health issues, and has been very careful during the pandemic, but will now have to do a face-to-face meeting with an inspector.
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