IFA ‘outraged’ by department’s refusal to compensate breeders

THE Irish Farmers Association (IFA) this week said it is “outraged” by the Department of Agriculture’s refusal to provide compensation for four breeders it says are at a financial loss as a result of swamp fever restrictions.

The IFA claims the four breeders have a special case, as their mares contracted the disease while at Troytown Equine Hospital, which found itself at the centre of the outbreak after a horse with the disease was unwittingly admitted to the Kildare facility.

The four mare owners subsequently had movement restrictions imposed by the department on their premises.