Changes in brucellosis testing arrangements to save farmers €5m

CHANGES in brucellosis testing will save farmers around €5 million, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith has announced.

It follows the recent EU Commission decision granting Ireland officially brucellosis-free status.

An increase in the age threshold for annual round testing to 24 months, and an increase in the validity period of pre-movement tests from 30 days to 60 days are among the changes. It also includes an increase in the age-limit for the pre-movement test for female animals from 12 to 18 months and to 24 months for bulls.