Keeping herd well earns vets praise

FOUR vets in three west of Ireland practices have been honoured for their role in enhancing the health status of the national cattle herd and securing the future of weanling exports.

They are: Conor Geraghty, Ahascragh Veterinary Clinic, Galway; John Gilmore, Emlagh Lodge Veterinary Centre, Elphin, Co Roscommon; and John O’Roarke and James Finn, both of the All Creatures practice in Roscommon town.

The awards were presented by European Food Safety Authority chairman Professor Patrick Wall, who said veterinary initiatives that add to farm profitability have to be welcomed, adding that the award winners were to be commended for their efforts.

Professor Wall said the weanling export programme developed by the award-winning vets is as vital for home purchases as it is for exports.

“Vaccination is crucial in ensuring that animals survive the stress of transport, mixing with other stock and the move to new surroundings.

“Where possible, vaccines should be used to replace antibiotics as prevention is always better than cure,” he said.

As well as being centrally involved in the design of the programme and in the certification procedure, the vets also actively promoted the initiative both in their own areas and countrywide.