Uncertainty continues for Department of Agriculture’s veterinary laboratories

Uncertainty continues for the staff and customers of the Department of Agriculture’s veterinary laboratories, following the report to the Department late last year, by a working group which undertook a comprehensive review of the laboratories.

The review report recommended re-organisation of the central laboratory complex at Backweston, Co Kildare, and options for developing the eight regional veterinary laboratories (RVLs) at Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed confirmed last week that no decision has been taken yet on options for the RVLs.

He said his Department recently completed an initial consultative process on the recommendations with all relevant stakeholders, including staff, and a cost-benefit analysis of various options will follow.