The National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) has rejected claims that it is involved with the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) in establishing an IVF nucleus herd.
The proposed move by the IHFA has caused a major rift within the breed society.
The row escalated over the weekend when a group of breeders issued a public statement condemning the plan.
The concerned members of the IHFA expressed “deep concern” regarding what it claimed was the “secrecy, cost, and direction of the proposed GenEireann nucleus herd project”.
The statement alleged that IHFA had engaged with NCBC and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) regarding the nucleus herd proposal.
Seán Coughlan of ICBF agreed that the federation did engage with IHFA in relation to the nucleus herd proposal.
“The IHFA did engage with us in that they informed us that there were plans afoot in this space,” the ICBF chief executive said. However, NCBC chief executive Doreen Corridan insisted that the breeding organisation had no formal or informal discussions with IHFA on the nucleus herd plans.
“I can categorically say there were no discussions or meetings between NCBC and the IHFA,” Corridan told the Irish Farmers Journal.
In addition, no meetings or discussions have taken place with Munster Bovine or Progressive Genetics, the two shareholders in NCBC, she maintained.
The concerned members of the IHFA expressed “deep concern” regarding what it claimed was the “secrecy, cost, and direction of the proposed GenEireann Nucleus Herd project”.
NCBC chief executive, Doreen Corridan
The statement claimed that the initiative fundamentally altered “the association’s role and purpose without proper consultation or approval”.
“The GenEireann proposal involves IVF breeding using SRM [supplementary registered males – non-pedigree] bulls and commercial embryos – a direct contradiction of IHFA’s core mission,” the opponents of the nucleus herd proposal maintained.
The statement added that the IHFA’s focus should be on “pedigree improvement”.
It is unclear how many breeders the concerned members of the association represents.
EGM
The concerned members alleged that the initial investment in GenEireann could “exceed €1.5 million”, with annual operating costs put at €250,000 to €300,000.
An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the IHFA has been called to discuss the GenEireann project.
Notice of the meeting was sent to IHFA members on Wednesday.
The meeting will take place at the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Co Tipperary on Thursday 27 November at 2pm.
The National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) has rejected claims that it is involved with the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) in establishing an IVF nucleus herd.
The proposed move by the IHFA has caused a major rift within the breed society.
The row escalated over the weekend when a group of breeders issued a public statement condemning the plan.
The concerned members of the IHFA expressed “deep concern” regarding what it claimed was the “secrecy, cost, and direction of the proposed GenEireann nucleus herd project”.
The statement alleged that IHFA had engaged with NCBC and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) regarding the nucleus herd proposal.
Seán Coughlan of ICBF agreed that the federation did engage with IHFA in relation to the nucleus herd proposal.
“The IHFA did engage with us in that they informed us that there were plans afoot in this space,” the ICBF chief executive said. However, NCBC chief executive Doreen Corridan insisted that the breeding organisation had no formal or informal discussions with IHFA on the nucleus herd plans.
“I can categorically say there were no discussions or meetings between NCBC and the IHFA,” Corridan told the Irish Farmers Journal.
In addition, no meetings or discussions have taken place with Munster Bovine or Progressive Genetics, the two shareholders in NCBC, she maintained.
The concerned members of the IHFA expressed “deep concern” regarding what it claimed was the “secrecy, cost, and direction of the proposed GenEireann Nucleus Herd project”.
NCBC chief executive, Doreen Corridan
The statement claimed that the initiative fundamentally altered “the association’s role and purpose without proper consultation or approval”.
“The GenEireann proposal involves IVF breeding using SRM [supplementary registered males – non-pedigree] bulls and commercial embryos – a direct contradiction of IHFA’s core mission,” the opponents of the nucleus herd proposal maintained.
The statement added that the IHFA’s focus should be on “pedigree improvement”.
It is unclear how many breeders the concerned members of the association represents.
EGM
The concerned members alleged that the initial investment in GenEireann could “exceed €1.5 million”, with annual operating costs put at €250,000 to €300,000.
An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the IHFA has been called to discuss the GenEireann project.
Notice of the meeting was sent to IHFA members on Wednesday.
The meeting will take place at the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Co Tipperary on Thursday 27 November at 2pm.
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