New online auction facility for farmers locked up with TB
Previously, TB-restricted herds could only sell test-negative animals directly to slaughter or in a small number of cases to an individual TB-restricted controlled finishing unit (CFU) for onward movement to slaughter.
A new online auction facility to allow farmers whose herds are locked up with TB to sell their animals has been announced.
The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum held its 18th meeting at Backweston Campus on Tuesday, with discussion focused on current disease trends and a paper presented by the forum’s scientific working group on regionalisation of the TB programme.
Following the meeting, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced a new online auction facility for test-negative animals, from TB-restricted herds.
Previously, TB-restricted herds could only sell test-negative animals directly to slaughter or in a small number of cases to an individual TB-restricted controlled finishing unit (CFU) for onward movement to slaughter.
This new facility will allow several CFUs to bid online for the animals concerned.
Only weanlings, calves greater than 12 weeks of age, and store cattle will be permitted to be sold at such auctions.
The sale of cows will not be facilitated. Restricted herds and CFUs interested in participating should contact their local mart and regional veterinary office, the Department of Agriculture said.
It is expected that this facility will be available from the end of this month.
"I am acutely aware of the burden a TB restriction places on farm families and I am hopeful that this new arrangement will help to alleviate some of the burden associated with having to keep more stock than required on a TB-restricted holding," Minister McConalogue said.
"It may also help introduce an element of competition in the market for these animals."
ICOS has welcomed this announcement, having requested this facility during the pandemic years.
Ray Doyle, livestock and environmental policy director of ICOS, said that farmers who are locked up with TB "already have serious stress associated with having an outbreak".
"This facility will enable the sale of animals to the restricted feedlots rather than having to hold animals with the associated potential of animal welfare issues and fodder supply requirements," Mr Doyle said.
"Local co-op mart managers are best placed and look forward to supporting farmers who, through no fault of their own, have a TB breakdown.
"Every initiative must be undertaken to support farmers in the currently difficult economic climate and most particularly those who experience a TB crisis."
Minister McConalogue said that the TB forum's recommendations "have been key" to the development of policies that can help to reduce and ultimately eradicate TB.
"However, TB levels remain stubbornly high and continue to cause hardship to farm families," he warned.
"The cost of the TB programme to the state is now almost double what it was in 2019. The most effective way to assist farmers, and where the cost of the programme can be reduced for all stakeholders, is to reduce disease levels.
"That is why we all must refocus our energies on examining and advancing options, which may involve difficult decisions to reduce the overall disease levels and therefore the cost of the programme for everyone."
