The controversial issue of additional controls on cattle herds with TB was up for discussion at Wednesday’s meeting of the TB Forum.

The Department of Agriculture has warned that these controls are necessary if the disease is to be eradicated, but they are opposed by farm organisations.

Additional controls are required because herds with a history of TB are at a far higher risk of future breakdown, the Department says.

Controversial measures

Among the controversial measures it wants discussed are:

  • Extended restrictions on herds which have had TB recently, to prevent them trading with clear herds.
  • Categorisation of all herds on risk trading restricted to herds of the same risk status or lower (for selling cattle) or higher (for buying in cattle).
  • Alternatively, risk categories based on area rather than herd with the same trading restrictions.
  • Enable herdowners purchasing cattle, eg at marts, to know their TB history.
  • Incentivise herdowners by linking compensation with actions taken to reduce TB risk.

    • IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell opposes tighter controls, saying that farmers are already not fully compensated for outbreaks.

    Farrell also planned to raise the 30-day pre-movement test proposed under revised EU rules.