IFA Welcomes Roll-out of Johne’s Programme

IFA animal Health Chairman Bert Stewart has welcomed the roll out of Phase 1 of the Irish Johne’s Control Programme.

He said IFA fully supports the establishment of a credible, cost-efficient and targeted Johne’s control programme that meets the needs of farmers and co-ops.

Bert Stewart said, with timeframes in excess of 20 years and costs of €12m – €14m annually associated with the control of Johne’s, a practical and targeted approach is the only means by which this issue can be dealt with.

“The phased approach announced by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) is the only feasible means of implementing Johne’s control nationally and at farm level. This allows for the planned consultancy work to identify cost-efficient national screening tools and the development of support structures for farmers in the programme.”

Bert Stewart said there are a number of national screening tools that can be enhanced and interpreted to ensure the programme is targeted at the small number of herds that have a need to implement control measures.

He said farmers who need to implement Johne’s control measures must then be fully supported in managing the disease from their herd.

Bert Stewart said IFA looks forward to proactively engaging with co-ops and AHI in developing Phase 2 of the programme, which must be based on keeping participation costs to a minimum and fully supporting farmers who identify Johne’s on their farms.