Agri-Business
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is currently seeking temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) for meat plants.
Almost €8 million has been reallocated to the Department of Agriculture (DAFM) to run the local authority veterinary services this year.
The Department of Agriculture (DAFM) said the transfer of Local Authority Veterinary Services to the department is "on track" for January 1.
Talks on the possible transfer of the local authority veterinary service to the Department of Agriculture may be finalised by the end of 2024
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said that a national veterinary service to oversee abattoirs has been agreed in principle.
The Department of Agriculture (DAFM) is currently seeking temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) for meat plants around the country.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has launched a recruitment drive for veterinary inspectors.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is seeking a further extension of its contract with local authorities for veterinary services.
Agri Politics
A Cork-based TD has warned that there remains a "lack of certainty" over the future of council funding for inspections of small abattoirs.
Beef
A dispute over the funding of food safety controls, which had threatened to shut 120 butchers and abattoirs, has been resolved.
120 businesses will have to close if a funding dispute is not resolved, the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland has warned.
The Department is now inviting private veterinary practitioners to consider taking up positions as inspectors as part of Brexit planning.
Fianna Fail spokesperson on agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, has claimed that there has been an "astonishing lack" of planning for Brexit.
The department has confirmed to AgriLand that the recruitment process for veterinary personnel at Irish ports will begin in the coming weeks.
Dublin and Rosslare ports are the prime focus for potential additional veterinary inspectors under contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit.
