Irish MEPs Mairead McGuinness, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Matt Carthy have been urged to reject proposals for a 30 day pre-movement TB test for cattle from herds that are over six months removed from their previous test.

The EU Parliament’s agriculture committee had been expected to vote on the proposals this week but decided to delay its decision after concerns were raised on Wednesday.

IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell called on the Irish MEPs to reject the EU’s proposal.

Describing the tests as “unnecessary”, Farrell warned that it would cost up to €20m to implement, jeopardise the viability of livestock marts and live exports, and achieve little.

Farrell has campaigned for the proposed regulation to be amended to allow cattle continue to be traded within Ireland once within 12 months of a TB test.

“This approach has worked well to date both in terms of controlling disease spread and facilitating trade of animals,” he said.

“At the same time it would allow importing countries continue with the existing 30-day export test requirement.”

This is one of the last opportunities for Irish MEPs to work to remove a proposal that Farrell says is anti-competitive and would impact disproportionately on Irish farmers.