Minister McConalogue highlights the importance of animal health and confirms his support for a number of projects

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D, has recognised the multifaceted benefits of good animal health, in reaffirming the government's commitment to provide a range of supports. These animal health support measures assist farmers in optimising farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

"The success of the farming year is dependent on many factors but much hinges on the health and well-being of a farmers' livestock," stated Minister McConalogue.

"Good animal health not only enhances farm productivity and profitability but also leads to reduced antibiotic usage, improved animal welfare, lower carbon emissions, and minimised risks of zoonotic diseases. From a government perspective, over and above the comprehensive range of sectoral supports, we look to support them with the knowledge, information, tools and resources necessary to optimise their management choices and safeguard their livelihoods."Central to the government's strategy is the promotion of biosecurity measures as a cornerstone of disease prevention and control. He added, "Biosecurity is paramount in protecting animal health and preventing disease outbreaks. We are committed to empowering farmers with the necessary data, knowledge and support infrastructure to make informed decisions and mitigate risks".

Acknowledging the threat of the introduction into Ireland of exotic diseases such as Avian Influenza, Bluetongue and African Swine Fever which are currently spreading across Europe, Minister McConalogue confirmed the allocation of additional funding towards addressing this risk through enhanced surveillance activities, including post import testing, and awareness raising. The Minister further emphasised however the critical need for strict biosecurity protocols to be applied at individual farm level, to ensure early detection of any exotic disease risk and to mitigate potential impacts.

Furthermore, Minister McConalogue confirmed continued investments under the Rural Development Programme's Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) program to provide specialised veterinary advice to farmers.

The Minister said:

"I am delighted to confirm that the TASAH program operated by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) will continue this year and will provide farmers with free on-farm veterinary consultations, focusing on biosecurity for pig and poultry farms, chronic udder health issues and dry cow consultancy in dairy herds, disease management and control advice in relation to Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), Johnes Disease, bovine TB, tail biting in pigs and the Salmonella Control Plan (pigs)."

Additionally, with regard to BVD, the Minister welcomed the continual improved situation and highlighted continued support measures. This included direct funding for all necessary ancillary testing for the programme, the full coverage of testing and vaccination costs for herds with test positive animals, supports for the early removal of test-positive animals, and continued contribution towards surveillance testing.

"We are committing funds of €3.75 million to support the BVD eradication programme this year, which includes direct support to farmers with test positive animals and also a 20% increased payment towards surveillance testing, at €2.40, per animal, supporting up to 25 animals per herd". Recalling that at the outset of the programme, BVD was costing farmers some €102 million each year, a cost which would continue into perpetuity, the Minster noted that "the investment by farmers and the State over the past 10 years in delivering the vastly improved disease situation has almost eliminated all these financial costs from farmers, as well as the stress experienced by farm families tending to sick calves".

In addressing other health concerns such as Johnes Disease and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Minister McConalogue expressed a commitment to further engagement with stakeholders on these industry-led initiatives at the Animal Health Ireland coordinated Implementation Groups (IG).

The Minister also recalled the participation by some 10,225 farmers who undertook snapshot testing of their herds for IBR in the State funded National Beef Welfare Scheme in 2023. This provided €3,051,380 by way of direct support to farmers. The outcome data from this scheme is available to those farmers to help them understand the IBR status of their herds and manage the risk of IBR on their own farms. From a public good perspective, the overall collective anonymised data is available to inform industry stakeholders in the AHI coordinated technical working and implementation groups, as they consider the development of an IBR eradication programme.

The Minister commented that,

"Preliminary information shows that some 50% of participating herds and 88% of animals tested negative for IBR, which is an invaluable insight into the challenge ahead. He went on to say, "I understand that future research is necessary to validate the efficacy of bulk milk testing as a surveillance methodology in any future control/eradication programme and I have therefore committed €100,000 to AHI to support their research into this and ancillary surveillance test methodologies."

Building on the success of the animal health initiative in the 2023 National Beef Welfare Scheme, the Minister also indicated that he is seeking to include an animal health measure in the 2024 National Beef Welfare Scheme which will be announced later this year.

Turning to small ruminants, the Minister said

"I recognise that animal health challenges exist in the small ruminant sector and that there would be benefit in the industry coming together to explore the development of an industry-led small ruminant health program. I have asked my officials to initiate immediate engagement with industry stakeholders on this and I look forward to seeing progress in this area".

In conclusion, Minister McConalogue commended the efforts of AHI in fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address animal health challenges.

"I want express my continued support and appreciation for the invaluable work of AHI in facilitating a coordinated approach to improving animal health outcomes for the benefit of farmers and the agricultural sector. I look forward to continued AHI leadership and collaboration with stakeholders on this journey."

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

TASAH Supports

The Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) is included in Ireland's National/EU co-financed CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027). Under the TASAH a Private Veterinarian Practitioner (PVP) who has received training from Animal Health Ireland (AHI) is funded for up to three hours per farm.

TASAH funding will provide for preparatory work, a farm visit and veterinary consultation to advise on animal diseases by an AHI trained PVP - at no cost to the farmer. The output will be farm specific recommendations for each farm visited.

Animal diseases/conditions include:

• Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

• Johne's Disease (JD)

• Somatic Cell Counts (SCC)

• Bovine tuberculosis biosecurity and risk reduction advice

• Biosecurity (Pigs and Poultry)

• Risk Factors for Tail-biting in Pigs

• Salmonella Control Plan.

The objective of the Programme is to support farmers in their response to the challenges of animal diseases and conditions.

The advice offered by the PVP will be farm-specific and provided to individual farmers. Increased animal health, including biodiversity, and welfare, will enhance production efficiency, the sustainable management of natural resources, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Further information on the different TASAHs is available at Animal Health Ireland

BVD Support Details

Supports towards removal of animals that test positive.

Dairy:

For animals disclosed as BVD test positive or inconclusive in 2023, a payment will be made on supply of payment details following submission of a payment form for each eligible animal that is removed to a knackery, abattoir or meat plant and has a date of death recorded on the AIM system as follows:

Any non-compliant animals will not be eligible for payment.

• 11-21 days from the date of latest positive/inconclusive test to slaughter is the cut-off interval for payment/compensation.

• €160 if the animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive test.

Or

• €30 if the animal is removed between Day 11 & 21 of the first positive or inconclusive test.

Where the Programme may require retesting of an animal, the animal must be removed within 3 weeks of the most recent BVD positive or inconclusive test result.

Beef:

For animals disclosed as BVD test positive or inconclusive in 2023, a payment will be made on supply of payment details following submission of a payment form for each eligible animal that is removed to a knackery, abattoir or meat plant and has a date of death recorded on the AIM system as follows:

Any non-compliant animals will not be eligible for payment.

• 11-21 days from the date of latest positive/inconclusive test to slaughter is the cut-off interval for payment/compensation.

• €220 if the animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive test.

Or

• €30 if the animal is removed between Day 11 & 21 of the first positive or inconclusive test.

Where the Programme may require retesting of an animal, the animal must be removed within 3 weeks of the most recent BVD positive or inconclusive test result.

Supports for herds with positive test results.

The full cost of testing of eligible animals in any herd that has a test positive animal and the cost of vaccination of all eligible animals in those herds for two years.

Supports towards surveillance testing costs.

This will be provided by way of a payment of €2.40 per calf and will be made directly to all farmers based on calves registered, up to a maximum of 25 calves per herd.

Payments under the BVD Financial Support Programme for Dairy or Beef Breed Animals disclosed as BVD Positive, BVD supports towards surveillance testing costs in 2024 shall comply with EU State Aid rules applicable to enterprises engaged in the primary production of agricultural products under agricultural De Minimis aid, as laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 and Regulation (EU) 2019/316. In accordance with these Regulations, the total amount of De Minimis aid granted to a given beneficiary shall not exceed €20,000 over any period of three fiscal years.