ANY farmer who has to have a second TB test in the one year – now to be required under new EU regulations for older animals – must not be left bearing the cost of the procedure, according to local and national IFA representatives.

The six-months’ time limit stipulation for a current test had initially been proposed for the sale of all bovines either farm-to-farm or at marts – now it will only apply to ‘higher risk’ animals such as cows or bullocks over 36 months.

According to Galway IFA Chairman, Stephen Canavan, there was no way that any farmer should have to pay for more than one test in any given year.

“At least now, after a lot of negotiations, the six-test requirement will only apply to older animals but where a farmer has to test to sell older animals, the Department must carry the cost of this extra test,” said Stephen Canavan.

He added that as things stood there were farmers in contiguous areas where they had tests every four months but only test per year had to be paid for by the herdowner.

“The statistics show that the higher rates of bovine TB incidences are in cows or older cattle and we have successfully made the case for the six-months’ testing requirement to apply only to this category of animal,” said Stephen Canavan.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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