The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is seeking independent valuers as part of the national bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication programme.

The department has invited "suitably qualified individuals" who wish to be considered for the roles under the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV) to apply.

The OFMV is the principal compensation measure available to farmers whose herds are affected by a TB breakdown in their herd.

DAFM confirmed that a panel of valuers will be established on November 1, 2025 and will run for a period of three years.

Candidates must have at least three years relevant experience and/or hold a current registration with the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV).

DAFM added that all applicants must not be a registered cattle dealer nor a factory agent.

Applicants who meet the initial qualifying criteria will be required to undergo an assessment of their expertise in evaluating bovine livestock and overall relevant knowledge, by way of an assessment session.

Applicants will be ranked according to the marks achieved at the assessment with the highest ranked applicants beings placed on the valuers panel.

It is currently envisaged that the department will require a minimum of five valuers per county.

DAFM said that payment for services will only be made in arrears, following satisfactory completion of the service, and upon receipt of a completed invoice in the month following the valuation.

The department said that successful applicants will be paid at the rates as set out below:

Applicants should note that their placement on the valuer panel does not bestow any degree of assurance as to the volume of valuation work offered, the department said.

"There is no guarantee that valuers whose names are offered to herdowners will be selected by the herdowner," it added.

The closing date for applications is 5:00p.m on Friday, April 11, 2025.

The DAFM previously confirmed that the total exchequer spending on bovine TB soared to just over €100 million in 2024.

This represents a 35% jump on the previous year, when total expenditure on TB reached €74.2 million.

Over the 12 months to December 2024, the OFMV increased by 56% to €54.3 million, up from €34.7 million a year earlier.

According to DAFM, the continued increase year-on-year in OFMV is “due to strong market values and the rise in the number reactors”.

“OFMV is the main contributor to the increase in TB programme expenditure over the last three years,” DAFM stated.