Animal Health Council Report September 2024

TB Update 

Current TB Statistics  

1. TB levels. IFA has called for a reversal of the badger vaccination programme to address the unacceptable increase in the numbers of TB reactors. IFA has met with senior DAFM officials on the issue and highlighted the corelation between vaccination areas and high levels of TB in cattle. Lack of resources in implementing an effective wildlife control programme is also a contributor to the increases in TB in cattle. DAFM have suggested increased controls on higher risk breakdown farms, IFA has rejected any additional controls on farms and called on DAFM to address the shortcomings in the wildlife control programme both in terms of policy and resources. 

2. Support payments. The new rate of income supplement payments is being paid to farmers who enter a breakdown since 29^th February 2024. The top up to the old rate of payments farmers received since 1^st February 2023 has not yet commenced. IFA has again raised this unacceptable delay with DAFM. Eligible farmers will be written to by DAFM in early September with the target of processing their payments in the following weeks.  

3. Irish Deer Management Strategy Group. The IDMSG has issued a tender to employ a manager to implement the strategy of deer reduction, seven other staff will be hired following the hiring of the manager. IFA are calling for meaningful actions from the group this Autumn.    

BVD 

1. We are currently on track to obtain BVD free status under EU Animal Health Law. On attainment of BVD Free Status, vaccination for BVD would be prohibited with proof of freedom testing required. 

2. To-date there have only been 376 initial test positive calves born in 169 herds. 

3. The IFA position on the BVD programme remains unchanged; 

The progress achieved to-date must be protected; 

• The proof of freedom testing must be an effective early case detection screening, tissue tag testing of calves at birth is the most effective approach in this regard.  

• We must continue to have access to vaccination for BVD  

• The Minister must come forward with funding to cover the costs associated with testing in the proof of freedom phase of the programme. 

• DAFM currently provide €2.40 for 25 tests.  

Veterinary Medicine  

1. Maintaining a role for all stakeholders in the supply and prescribing of veterinary medicines is of critical importance to farmers. We must ensure that Private Veterinary Practitioners, Licensed Merchants and Co-Ops and Veterinary Pharmacies continue to supply and where appropriate prescribe veterinary medicines to farmers.  

2. Any additional burden for farmers being able to source animal medicines must be kept to an absolute minimum. 

3.  Access to competitively priced animal medicines, especially vaccines is crucial in reducing the use of antibiotics. IFA has worked with other industry stakeholders as part of iNAP to achieve this, and we are already seeing results. 

4. The submission made by IFA on the SI for VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS REGULATION outlined seven key requirements.  

1. Provide a 12-month validity period for prescriptions for non-antimicrobial products (products other than antibiotics) to minimise the costs associated with acquiring a prescription for farmers and to provide the opportunity for farmers to competitively source their veterinary medicines needs.  

2. Provide ‘consultant vet’ prescribing for antiparasitic products based on a ‘Proper Assessment Protocol’ that does not require a farm visit for the prescribing vet to ensure Licensed Merchants and Co-ops can continue to actively participate in the sale and supply of these products to farmers.  

3. Ensure the ‘consultant vets’ facilitated to prescribe in the SI are vets who are actively practising as veterinary practitioners for farm animals in Ireland and licensed appropriately to provide this service to protect the integrity of this important prescribing system.  

4. Provide a simplified prescribing system for the PVP associated with the herd that recognises the direct on farm knowledge of that vet and his/her professional judgement in prescribing antiparasitic products for the farm. By simplifying the prescribing process for the PVP associated with the herd the administrative burden is reduced for the vet, the value of the on-farm knowledge is reflected in the SI and the potential cost for these prescriptions is reduced for farmers.  

5. The POM(E) category must be maintained to minimise the prescription requirement to purchase veterinary medicines for farmers and ensure Veterinary Pharmacies continue to play an active role in the provision of advice to farmers and supply of veterinary medicines. The ‘consultant vet’ cannot be availed of by Veterinary Pharmacies, the POM(E) category is the only opportunity in reality for these important outlets to remain active in the sale and supply of veterinary medicines following the up regulation of antiparasitic products.  

6. Provide for Licensed Merchants and Co-ops to supply POM(E) vaccines under prescription. This broadens the supply base for farmers, improves competition and availability of these vital tools in the management of the health and welfare of our animals and in reducing the need for antibiotics while recognising their difference in status to POM products.  

7. Provide for consultant vets to prescribe POM(E) vaccines under a schedule similar to the prescribing process provided for antiparasitic products but developed to ensure the appropriate information is provided to accurately and correctly prescribe these vaccines for farms including the provision of advice on correct usage of these products. 

IFA sought a meeting of all stakeholders with DAFM and put forward in detail the context behind our submission.  

DAFM are considering the proposals put forward. 

5. Availability of Vaccines. DAFM has a responsibility to ensure the adequate supply of suitable products in the market. This cannot be left to chance or to commercial decisions made by pharmaceutical companies. IFA have called on the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the current supply issues for vaccines is addressed as a matter of urgency. 

Fallen Animals 

6. EU Regulation requires the Department of Agriculture to provide the infrastructure for farmers to meet their legal obligations in relation to fallen animal disposal 

7. The current infrastructure provided by DAFM does not provide a guaranteed collection service for all farmers in the country and fails to have a competitive cost structure for the service. Despite DAFM providing direct subvention to Fallen Animal Collectors under a scheme that has maximum fees allowable to be charged to farmers DAFM have no inspection system in place for compliance with this requirement.  

8. As was seen last December in the dispute between knackeries and renderers the current system is failing to deliver on its objectives through a combination of Department of Agriculture failures in the construct of the system and oversight of the subvention criteria. 

9. The entire fallen animal disposal system must be reviewed and the most efficient system that delivers guaranteed collection of fallen animals to all farmers in the country at competitive rates provided.  

IBR 

1. A proposed program by AHI includes a cost of €40 million per year and a 16-year timeline for achieving eradication, along with movement controls on farms. 

2. The impact of IBR on dairy farms has been estimated at €88 million per year, with no assessment conducted for suckler and beef farms. 

3. The funding model remains a critical issue to be addressed in order to advance the programme. 

4. The move to include IBR testing in the NBWS has seriously undermined the efforts to develop a programme. 

5. IFA, at the last IBRIG called for the Minister for Agriculture to come forward with clear direction on IBR, including a funding model and responsibilities for development of the programme. 

6. The failure to provide adequate funding for the BVD programme by the Minister despite farmers investing almost €120m has severely hindered the development of the IBR programme 

7. IFA will not agree an IBR programme until a funding model for the programme is developed and agreed that reflects all the beneficiaries of a National Programme 

Johnes 

1. Phase two of the Johnes Control programme ended in 2023   

2. IFA are currently engaging with other stakeholders to develop a funding model for the next phase of the programme and to close out the last phase of the programme.