Despite improvements, communications around the new bovine tuberculosis (bTB) rules are still far from where they should be, according to the Irish Dairy and Creamery Suppliers Association (ICMSA).
The group said communications must be improved, otherwise avoidable confusion will surround the buying and selling of livestock in the fall.
The comments were made by ICMSA at a meeting with Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Haydon.
It comes in the face of a decline in herd numbers with fewer than 1,000 head being restricted to the herd compared to last year – with some areas seeing a decline of more than 20%.
ICMSA Vice President Eamonn Carroll said this was the right time to “double down” on these initial improvements and move towards a significant reduction result.
He said: “We acknowledge the introduction of the private hotline – which was originally committed at our request and then promptly forgotten by everyone except ourselves – and we are happy to acknowledge that communication has improved.
“But it’s still far from where it should be, and we expect another massive bout of confusion around the buying and selling of conventional livestock in the fall, as farmers try to figure out what’s in and what’s out.” New rules.
“We are determined that the Department should use the next 10 or 12 weeks to improve its communications and ensure that up-to-date information and advice is available to all farmers easily and without fuss.”
Carroll cited the “hotline” as an excellent example of timely and effective communications.
Farmers who are experiencing collapse can call in and get their official status and what to expect, which is a “great example of what is needed,” he said.
“This needs to be expanded and resourced to become a ‘one-stop-shop’ for farmers wanting to discuss any aspect of TB issues,” the ICMSA Vice President added.
Clarifications
According to ICMSA, a critical requirement is the ability to determine the bTB status of any individual animal being considered for the market, and clarifications must be available in advance.
“We also told the minister and his officials that it would be very helpful for the department to clarify at what stage bTB,” Carroll said. workplan They think they’ve arrived – and how they think the lead is going so far. For example, have they had any response to farmers yet?
“We will not be completely satisfied, for example, that all contract breeders are fully aware of the new rules that apply to them and their testing requirements before contracting animals or returning them to their original herds.”
He added that the “primary goal” is to “normalize” the new rules as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
“We know that the infection rate appears to be declining, and now is the time to redouble our work and effort and attack this scourge that has been afflicting farmers forever,” he said.
