Importance of dairy herd health certs highlighted

MILK purchasers have told seven out of 10 dairy farmers they cannot collect their milk after December 31 if they have not produced a dairy herd health certificate in the intervening three weeks.

The President of ICOS, Donal Cashman, said there is wide disappointment in the co-ops because only 30% of milk suppliers have produced certification.

He said ICOS has alerted the farm organisations, the Department of Agriculture and Food, and Veterinary Ireland, about the slow uptake, and the difficulties facing individual farmers.

Certificate forms were issued to farmers last February. Or they can be obtained from the Department’s Milk Policy Division. When completed by the farmer and vet, they should be submitted to the milk purchaser.