Coming after an accident involving a young vet on a farm in the Castlederg area earlier this month, a number of vets have highlighted to the Irish Farmers Journal their concerns about the new TB testing contract recently implemented by DAERA.

The central issue is the new audit process put in place by the Department where all vets undertaking TB testing are checked at least once every three years to maintain their approval status. The check involves DAERA officials doing a pre-audit inspection on five animals, with feedback given. The officials then audit the private vet testing a further 30 cattle.

It is understood that at the test where the vet was injured, she was being checked by two DAERA officials. She was hit on the forehead after a cow swung her head around during the testing process. The vet sustained concussion and whiplash injuries, and required hospital treatment. She remains off work. The Health and Safety Executive for NI (HSENI) has been informed of the incident, and DAERA is understood to be conducting its own investigation.

Health risk

However, with TB testing already a stressful enough experience for farmers, vets and the cattle themselves, a number of private vets have questioned whether the addition of two unannounced DAERA staff, is just adding to the health and safety risk for everyone.

“Forcing all cattle down a crush during TB testing is already dangerous. This just makes it unacceptably dangerous.

‘‘They stand looking right over your shoulder at the head of the animal. When two extra people turn up with clipboards, it is no longer a normal TB test,” commented one local vet.

Another said that his practice has instructed their vets to down tools and wait on additional help from a colleague if DAERA staff turn up unannounced.

As part of the new contract with DAERA, private vets are required to carry public and employer liability insurance. They are also required to notify the Department of any health and safety hazards, report all accidents and “take all reasonable steps to provide and maintain a working environment free from dangers to health”.

On that basis, it would seem that if the vet or the farmer involved is uncomfortable with two DAERA staff attending a TB test, they would be well within their rights to ask these officials to leave.