The IFA is questioning the effectiveness of vaccinating badgers against TB, following the increase in disease levels in cattle herds in Co Monaghan.
The Department of Agriculture has been vaccinating badgers in the county since 2012 and comparing this approach to badger culling. Next week, the IFA will meet with Department officials to discuss the issue.
“We will be demanding a full assessment of the impact of vaccination on TB levels in the county,” Monaghan IFA chair Frank Brady said.
In January, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced that vaccination will be included in the Department’s TB eradication programme and will gradually replace removal of badgers. Culling would continue around TB hotspots.
Stakeholder forum
Meanwhile, the first meeting of the new TB Stakeholder Forum has been set for Wednesday 5 September, with three further meetings before year end. The forum is tasked with producing proposals for a new TB strategy to start in 2018 and eradicate the disease by 2030.
The IFA has outlined key demands for the review, including:
Eradication of the disease within the shortest feasible timeframe. The cost burden on farmers to be reduced. Farmers fully compensated for all costs and losses arising from new controls. Shortcomings in current compensation schemes addressed. A review of existing controls to assess their relevance and cost. Any new controls must be practical. Wildlife issue to be addressed in advance of infrastructural works and deforestation.Reducing badger or deer numbers where associated with TB breakdowns must continue.IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell said that the TB forum must allow farmers’ views to be incorporated into the new eradication strategy.
“Minister Michael Creed must provide adequate financial support for farmers affected by TB controls and enough resources to allow his Department to eradicate the disease quickly,” he said.
The IFA is questioning the effectiveness of vaccinating badgers against TB, following the increase in disease levels in cattle herds in Co Monaghan.
The Department of Agriculture has been vaccinating badgers in the county since 2012 and comparing this approach to badger culling. Next week, the IFA will meet with Department officials to discuss the issue.
“We will be demanding a full assessment of the impact of vaccination on TB levels in the county,” Monaghan IFA chair Frank Brady said.
In January, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced that vaccination will be included in the Department’s TB eradication programme and will gradually replace removal of badgers. Culling would continue around TB hotspots.
Stakeholder forum
Meanwhile, the first meeting of the new TB Stakeholder Forum has been set for Wednesday 5 September, with three further meetings before year end. The forum is tasked with producing proposals for a new TB strategy to start in 2018 and eradicate the disease by 2030.
The IFA has outlined key demands for the review, including:
Eradication of the disease within the shortest feasible timeframe. The cost burden on farmers to be reduced. Farmers fully compensated for all costs and losses arising from new controls. Shortcomings in current compensation schemes addressed. A review of existing controls to assess their relevance and cost. Any new controls must be practical. Wildlife issue to be addressed in advance of infrastructural works and deforestation.Reducing badger or deer numbers where associated with TB breakdowns must continue.IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell said that the TB forum must allow farmers’ views to be incorporated into the new eradication strategy.
“Minister Michael Creed must provide adequate financial support for farmers affected by TB controls and enough resources to allow his Department to eradicate the disease quickly,” he said.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: