Changes to BSE testing of animals for slaughter ‘saves €1.7m yearly’

THE Government’s decision to confine the BSE testing of animals for slaughter to cattle over 72 months from July 1 next represents an annual saving of over €1.7m for Irish farmers, according to IFA animal health project team chairman John Waters.

Mr Waters said the extension of the testing age from 48 months to 72 months removes in excess of 85,000 animals from the BSE test requirement, and coupled with the extension from 30 months, represents total savings of over €11.7m for farmers in reduced BSE testing over the last two years. Mr Waters said: “Only one case of BSE was identified in Ireland last year, which is a clear indication the disease has been virtually eliminated in this country.

“Based on the progress that has been made and the controls that were put in place, the next step must be to remove all animals born since 1997 from the test requirement, which would result in further savings of approximately €5m.”