Heydon 'gets approval from Cabinet' to address escalating TB rates
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has said that he received approval from Cabinet to address the escalating levels of bovine TB in the country.
At a meeting of Cabinet today (Tuesday, June 24), Minister Heydon updated his government colleagues on the current disease levels, and of plans to address the deteriorating disease situation.
Following extensive discussions at the TB Stakeholder Forum, the minister met stakeholders on May 8 and farming organisations on May 22 with a view to agree an action plan for for tackling the disease.
The minister said after the Cabinet meeting: “I am pleased to have the approval and support of my government colleagues to address the current high level of bovine TB.
"I updated them on current disease levels and my recent engagement with stakeholders.
"There is a real appetite amongst all stakeholders to address the rise in [disease] levels in recent years and to reduce the impact this disease is having on farm families throughout the country, on rural economies, and on the national exchequer," Minister Heydon added.
Emphasising the importance of examining all available means in combatting current disease levels, Minister Heydon said: “Through my discussions with stakeholders I was keen to emphasise the importance of utilising best veterinary and scientific advice based on research and applying this effectively through the bovine TB programme.
"The scale of what is required to get on top of this disease should not be underestimated and I advised my government colleagues of the extent of what is required to tackle this disease," he added.
"Applying the best scientific research and advice to the bovine TB programme is paramount as we navigate a route to stopping the increase in disease levels, reducing disease levels, and ultimately look once again towards the goal of eradication."
The minister said any changes to the TB programme will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of TB restriction and protect those herds currently free from TB from the stress of an outbreak.
“My ambition with the bovine TB programme is to protect all farm families, those who are dealing with an outbreak and those who are trying to keep their herds free from bovine TB," he said.
"The support of my government colleagues in moving forward with the bovine TB programme is important in facilitating all stakeholders in the agri-food industry to collectively get on top of this disease, and I would like to thank my government colleagues for their engagement and support today," the minister added.
"This is an important step in resetting our approach to controlling and managing this disease.”
The minister said: “Due to the high disease situation, I want to move quickly to refine the TB programme and reduce the impact of TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland.”
