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The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has recommended that vets confine their services to supporting food production and delivering emergency care on farms.
Vets are classed as essential workers and animal welfare and medicine was specifically highlighted in the list of exemptions during An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s address last week.
While many vet practices are already working on a call-and-collect basis, the VCI guidance assures farmers that they’ll still have access to emergency treatment for their animals.
Vets over 70
The VCI has also advised that vets over 70 or with underlying health conditions should shield or cocoon.
“We ask all veterinary practices and colleagues to support one another as much as possible at this difficult time,” VCI president Joe Moffitt said.
“The health and well-being of registrants is imperative, in the best interests of animal welfare and public health.”
TB testing
Farmers can delay their TB test during the coronavirus pandemic, but the Department of Agriculture has said that their trading status will be suspended.
You can find more information on TB testing during the pandemic here.
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