Responding to a query from Sligo-Leitrim TD Eamon Scanlon on the closure of the labs in the Dáil this Wednesday, Enda Kenny said that Scanlon’s point about farmers being forced to transport animals over long distances if the labs close is a “significant one”.

“The point that you make Deputy Scanlon about having to transport animals the length and breadth of the country is a significant one,” he said.

“If you recall, we unfortunately had BSE here and the late Minister [for Agriculture] Joe Walsh had to clamp down on all movements and people responded very strongly to that.”

Protest

Farm organisations and local politicians staged a protest outside the regional veterinary lab in Sligo this Wednesday, the day Scanlon raised his query in the Dáil.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture met laboratory staff at the Sligo RVL while the protest was taking place.

Kenny added that having to move carcases across the country for analysis and investigation “is an issue in itself so I hope that point will be made very clearly to officials when they’re down there [in Sligo]”.

The Taoiseach also said he would raise the matter again with the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

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Taoiseach Enda Kenny hints at support for RVLs

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said there is an issue with having to move carcases up and down the country if the proposed closure of the regional veterinary labs goes ahead.