Testing charges fury

SHEEPMEAT processors in the mid-west region are to be asked to justify a €1.50 per head charge for scrapie testing of ewes.

Farmers at a Limerick IFA meeting decided that a letter should be sent to all sheep factory managers in the region.

Random sample scrapie testing is now obligatory, but farmers are strongly opposed to the factories’ policy of levying €1.50 per head on all ewes slaughtered.

Robert Ruttle, Limerick IFA vice-chairman, said if factories test one in 36 they will collect €54 for each test.