This is a subscriber-only article
Fears of a closure of up to half of the country’s regional veterinary labs (RVL) have eased.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed played down the risk of closures at RVLs, as he launched Ireland’s first National Farmed Animal Health Strategy in UCD on Tuesday.
Closing down some of the Department of Agriculture’s six RVLs was among the options suggested in a review of the service conducted earlier this year, and was exclusively revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal.
“When the cost-benefit analysis is completed, which is the next stage, we will consider that at that stage. But I don’t see any threat to the number of laboratories,” Minister Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal. “The laboratories are critical to the offering that we have on international markets. They are in many respects our eyes and ears in the regions.”
New strategy
The new animal health strategy for the next five years stresses that “laboratories provide critical scientific capability and capacity in support of animal health systems”.
Its objectives include the conclusion of the RVL review and increased lab participation in data sharing and research.
Minister Creed also announced the establishment of a new independent Farmed Animal Health Strategy review body, headed by Teagasc chairman Dr Noel Cawley.
Animal health experts representing the livestock chain from farm to consumer will meet twice a year to monitor progress.
The strategy confirms Animal Health Ireland (AHI) as the lead body to tackle diseases and plans for the replacement of existing bovine disease levies with wider animal health levies by species.
AHI is to receive an extra €125,000 to begin work on pig health.
Animal health improvements will focus on “prevention rather than cure”, and there will be greater emphasis on consultation and communication with all stakeholders. This includes the publication of clear documents outlining the responsibilities of farmers and other actors in improving animal health.
Minister Creed also pledged €300,000 in additional Irish funding over four years for the World Organisation for Animal Health’s work on animal welfare in live exports.
SHARING OPTIONS: