The minimum cost charged by An Post to send bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) tissue-tag samples is increasing from €1.25 to €1.30 from 21 July. The rate is the same for samples submitted to laboratories in Ireland and Northern Ireland and follows on from a 5c rise introduced by An Post on 1 July 2015.

Animal Health Ireland circulated a text message this morning to farmers whose number is recorded for the purposes of the BVD scheme. AHI advises that the €1.30 rate should continue to be sufficient for up to 10 samples, provided they are flat-packed rather than bulked up in an envelope. For postage of a higher number of samples, the advice is to bring the padded envelope/package to the post office to ascertain the relevant charge. AHI says that An Post has advised the organisation that any samples that are underpaid will be retained.

Labelling

Advice on packaging and labelling also remains the same. Farmers are advised to place samples in a sealable bag and place inside a padded envelope. The name, address and herd number of the farmer submitting the sample should be recorded on the top left corner of the envelope, while the text ‘‘exempt animal specimen’’ should be recorded on the back of the envelope.

Full coverage: BVD

An Post raising BVD postal costs to €1.30 from 21 July

AHI is informing farmers about An Post increasing charges to handle BVD tissue-tag samples.