Regional spike in TB focus of Listowel Food Fair farmer forum
High incidence rates of bovine tuberculosis (TB) across north Co. Kerry and west Co. Limerick will be the main talking point at this year's Listowel Food Fair farming forum.
The seminar will take place at the Listowel Arms Hotel at 7:30p.m on Monday, November 9.
The surge in TB cases has left local farming families devastated and has been described as "a critical emergency for regional agriculture".
The outbreaks have led to restrictions or total depopulation of local herds.
Farmers have reported losing large portions of their livelihoods in single test cycles, with instances of farms losing over 50 cattle at once.
Bovine TB
The upcoming seminar will be attended by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Niall Collins who will address the current important issues within the Irish farming and agricultural sectors.
Dave Leahy, chief veterinary inspector for the south-west region will address the high levels of bovine TB in the region.
Other speakers include Pat Murphy, chief executive Kinisla; John McGlynn, FBD Insurance representative in north Kerry and west Limerick; Dinny Galvin of the West Kerry Dairy Farmers' sustainable energy community; and Dr. Fergus Hannon, Dairymaster technical vet.
Former Fine Gael minister Jimmy Deenihan, who is the curator of the Listowel Food Fair, said the farming seminar "always attracts a huge attendance".
"Since the formation of the Listowel Food Fair in 1995, many of the leading experts in the Irish agri-food industry, including academics, ministers for agriculture, farming and industry representatives and members of the farming community have participated in the farming seminar.
"The featured subjects for discussion are always relevant and topical, and the emphasis is on providing information, advice and possible solutions.
"The emphasis this year will be on the worrying rise in the levels of bovine TB in north Kerry/west Limerick, which is above the national average.
"Other topics which will feature at this year’s farming seminar include the huge opportunity for farmers in the use of solar panels on their farm buildings to reduce energy costs.
"There is a further development of the MooMonitor 360 by Dairymaster and FBD Insurance will deliver details of updates in relation to insurance for farmers," he said.
The farming seminar is open to all with no ticket or registration required for attendance.
