Anger at early TB tests

LIVESTOCK farmers whose annual herd test has been brought forward by as much as six months claim they are being shortchanged by the Department of Agriculture, and are seeking redress.

Farmers at a recent Limerick IFA meeting said they have to pay for the test and are entitled to get 12 months out of it. But some of them are being put under extreme pressure to proceed with the test up to six months early.

David Thompson said, “If the Department want to bring the test forward, they should be responsible for the extra cost”.