Farmers criticise disease levies rise

RELATIONS between farmers and the Government soured further yesterday over the increasing cost of animal disease levies.

IFA president John Dillon accused Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh of imposing an extra 5m annual cost on farmers for BSE testing, in addition to a 10m rise in TB and brucellosis levies.

He said support estimated at between €30m and €40m to the rendering industry for the processing and disposal of meat and bonemeal was also being withdrawn from March 1.