Bovine TB scheme plans ‘unworkable’

PROPOSED changes to the bovine TB eradication scheme have been described by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) as “a minefield of bureaucracy”.

Malcolm Thompson, president, said the changes proposed by the Department of Agriculture could do untold damage to suckler farmers countrywide.

“The proposals were introduced thinly camouflaged as a concession to farmers who killed cattle which had exceeded 12 months since their last TB test. In reality however, they give no concessions, but rather are an unworkable nightmare.”