Commission approves application for brucellosis-free status in Ireland

THE European Com-mission has approved Ireland’s application for official brucellosis free status, Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith announced yesterday.

He said it was “a landmark in the history of disease eradication in Ireland” and was due to a number of factors, not least the full co-operation of all the stakeholders in the eradication regime.

Brucellosis free status would have a very beneficial impact on the farming community in the years to come, particularly in relation to trade and the cost of testing, he said.

Mr Smith added, however, that there was no room for complacency and farmers must continue to adopt appropriate replacement policies and bio-security measures.

Bodies representing the veterinary profession praised the efforts of all involved in the successful implementation of the eradication programme.

John Cooney, president of the Veterinary Officers Association, which represents vets in the Department of Agriculture, said the achievement will further enhance Ireland’s enviable animal health status internationally.

Michael F Sexton, president of Veterinary Ireland, which represents vets in practice, said: “Many vets and farmers... suffered significantly with brucellosis in past decades and it is greatly welcomed by the veterinary profession that this debilitating disease is no longer the hazard that it once was.”

Welcoming the European Commission decision, IFA deputy president Derek Deane said it was disappointing, however, that Mr Smith had not returned the full €15 million in cost reductions allowable to farmers.