‘No TB history’ on mart boards

ANY proposal to put a farmer’s bovine TB history up on the sales boards of marts will be

‘fought tooth nail’ by the IFA, Dept. of Agriculture officials were told at an animal health meeting in Gort last week.

Galway IFA Animal Health Committee Chairman, Stephen Canavan, told the Farming Tribune that the Department of Agriculture officials were left in no doubt as to the view of farmers on putting up such details of TB history on a mart board.

“While there are 97% of farmers who will have a disease-free history to report, what is of real concern to us, is the 3% of farmers who had the misfortune to have a reactor in their herds.

“These farmers would be absolutely crucified in the sales’ rings if this kind of information was put up on the mart boards.

“If a farmer has a clear test, then that is where the matter has to rest. This is something we will oppose vehemently and steadfastly,” said Stephen Canavan.

He said that on a positive note, the regional meeting on TB attended by Dept. and veterinary officials, drew a huge crowd and provided a lot of helpful information for the farmers in attendance.

“It also gave farmers the opportunity at a first-hand level to put their questions and concerns straight to the people who are directly involved in the administration and workings of the TB eradication programme,” said Stephen Canavan.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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