IFA ‘outraged’ by department’s refusal to compensate breeders
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.
IFA Horse Project Team leader Tim O’Regan yesterday said the four breeders had approached the IFA and put their argument for compensation.
“These are genuine cases,” he said, adding that the IFA had met personnel from the department’s Animal Health and Veterinary section, who turned down the request.
Mr O’Regan described the four breeders as “innocent parties”. “They should be supported, because those restrictions are necessary to safeguard the future of the entire Irish horse industry”.
Mr O’Regan said the IFA’s claim for compensation did not relate to other breeders affected by the outbreak, though, undoubtedly, they will be watching closely for any progress made by the IFA in its efforts. In total, restrictions were imposed on 53 premises.
As the threat of the disease wanes, it is not surprising that victims should be aggrieved, but Mr O’Regan could not say if any of the four breeders would contemplate a civil action against the department or Troytown to cover financial losses.
Troytown partner Warren Schofield yesterday said they had also urged the department to pay compensation and he sympathised with the breeders. It could be argued that Troytown also views itself as an innocent victim and can also claim to be major loss earners, having had to close for a month and suffer damage to its reputation. Fifteen adult horses died in Troytown as a result of swamp fever, known scientifically as equine infectious disease.
It is suspected that the outbreak stemmed from the illegal importation of blood plasma from Italy. Department officials have travelled overseas in the course of is investigation into the source of the outbreak and it hopes to, in time, initiate a prosecution.
To date, 28 cases of swamp fever had been confirmed. All 28 horses were put down. The disease was concentrated in the Kildare/Meath/Dublin area, but also saw incidences in Wexford, Limerick and Derry.
A spokesperson for the department yesterday confirmed it would not provide financial assistance for those affected by swamp fever, though, it did concede compensation was given to farmers whose stock was affected by other diseases, such as TB and BSE.
* CAMERON HANLEY and Jessica Kürten failed to make an impression in the World Cup class in Leipzig, Germany, last weekend, both ending their bid for points in round one.
Hanley picked up 15 faults with SIEC Hippica Kerman, while fellow German-domiciled Kürten went out with eight faults on Quibell in a competition won by Germany’s Christian Ahlmann on Coster.
Mayoman Hanley is 30th in Western European League on 14 points, with Kürten one point behind in 35th place. It is estimated that at least 40 points is required to qualify for the final in Las Vegas on April 19-22.
Kürten has foregone the chance of increasing her tally at Amsterdam this weekend, opting to compete at the cash-rich show in Zurich.
She will, however, have three opportunities next month: Bordeaux (Feb 2-4), Vigo (Feb 8-11) and Gothenburg (Feb 22-25), which is the league’s penultimate show ahead of ’s-Hertogenbosch (March 22-25). Kürten also takes in Neumünster Feb 15-18).
Hanley, who is also in action at Bordeaux, did not leave Leipzig without showing off the impressive SIEC Livello, the eight-year-old carrying him home third in the young horse final.
This weekend’s sole Irish representative at Amsterdam is Denis Lynch (Lancelot, Hello Popsie and Gem of India).
* THE spring league at the West Cork Equine Centre begins on February 4, with shows on February 11, 18 and 25.
* It continues on similar dates in March, with the final on April 1.
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