Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has announced the launch of a new online facility which allows TB-negative cattle from TB-restricted herds to be auctioned off to competing controlled finishing units (CFU).
The facility is expected to open towards the end of this month but neither cows nor unweaned calves can be auctioned through the facility.
Previously, farmers hit with restrictions could only sell TB-negative cattle direct for slaughter or to individual CFUs in specific cases.
“I am acutely aware of the burden a TB restriction places on farm families and I am hopeful that this new arrangement will help to alleviate some of the burden associated with having to keep more stock than required on a TB-restricted holding,” Minister McConalogue said.
“It may also help introduce an element of competition in the market for these animals.”
Stakeholder forum
The minister was speaking after a meeting of the Bovine TB stakeholders’ forum, where he acknowledged the “huge effort” by stakeholders and stated that their work resulted in “important enhancements” to the Department’s eradication programme.
“The forum’s recommendations have been key to the development of policies that can help to reduce and ultimately eradicate TB,” the minister continued.
“However, TB levels remain stubbornly high and continue to cause hardship to farm families. The cost of the TB programme to the State is now almost double what it was in 2019.”
‘Difficult’ decisions to stem costs
TB control cost almost €50m in the first nine months of 2023 and the projected cost of the current 10-year eradication programme came to €1bn when the strategy was launched.
Costs associated with the programme have increased significantly since, as the TB reactor numbers, herd restrictions and the incidence levels continue to rise.
“The most effective way to assist farmers, and where the cost of the programme can be reduced for all stakeholders, is to reduce disease levels.
“That is why we all must refocus our energies on examining and advancing options, which may involve difficult decisions to reduce the overall disease levels and therefore the cost of the programme for everyone.”
The minister acknowledged the “huge effort” that farm sector stakeholders are making and stated that their work resulted in “important enhancements” to the Department’s 10-year bovine TB-eradication programme.
Restricted herds and CFUs interested in participating should contact their local mart and regional veterinary office, he added.
Read more
TB herd incidence continues to climb
TB control measures not denting disease in many hotspots
Department taking over two weeks to slaughter TB reactors
Over 3,750 badgers culled this year as TB hotspot culls continue
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has announced the launch of a new online facility which allows TB-negative cattle from TB-restricted herds to be auctioned off to competing controlled finishing units (CFU).
The facility is expected to open towards the end of this month but neither cows nor unweaned calves can be auctioned through the facility.
Previously, farmers hit with restrictions could only sell TB-negative cattle direct for slaughter or to individual CFUs in specific cases.
“I am acutely aware of the burden a TB restriction places on farm families and I am hopeful that this new arrangement will help to alleviate some of the burden associated with having to keep more stock than required on a TB-restricted holding,” Minister McConalogue said.
“It may also help introduce an element of competition in the market for these animals.”
Stakeholder forum
The minister was speaking after a meeting of the Bovine TB stakeholders’ forum, where he acknowledged the “huge effort” by stakeholders and stated that their work resulted in “important enhancements” to the Department’s eradication programme.
“The forum’s recommendations have been key to the development of policies that can help to reduce and ultimately eradicate TB,” the minister continued.
“However, TB levels remain stubbornly high and continue to cause hardship to farm families. The cost of the TB programme to the State is now almost double what it was in 2019.”
‘Difficult’ decisions to stem costs
TB control cost almost €50m in the first nine months of 2023 and the projected cost of the current 10-year eradication programme came to €1bn when the strategy was launched.
Costs associated with the programme have increased significantly since, as the TB reactor numbers, herd restrictions and the incidence levels continue to rise.
“The most effective way to assist farmers, and where the cost of the programme can be reduced for all stakeholders, is to reduce disease levels.
“That is why we all must refocus our energies on examining and advancing options, which may involve difficult decisions to reduce the overall disease levels and therefore the cost of the programme for everyone.”
The minister acknowledged the “huge effort” that farm sector stakeholders are making and stated that their work resulted in “important enhancements” to the Department’s 10-year bovine TB-eradication programme.
Restricted herds and CFUs interested in participating should contact their local mart and regional veterinary office, he added.
Read more
TB herd incidence continues to climb
TB control measures not denting disease in many hotspots
Department taking over two weeks to slaughter TB reactors
Over 3,750 badgers culled this year as TB hotspot culls continue
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