UFU Disappointed with DARD TB Strategy
UK - The Ulster Farmers’ Union says farmers are being left frustrated by the implementation of DARD’s TB strategy.
11 December 2009
2 minute read
The UFU says DARD is imposing further rules on farmers while failing to address the reservoir of the disease in wildlife.
The UFU comments follow DARD’s decision to remove from farms those animals which give an inconclusive result to a second consecutive bovine TB test.
UFU President Graham Furey said; “This has been debated at length and we have told DARD officials on many occasions that putting more and more restrictions on farmers without tackling the wider causes of the disease will only fuel frustration in the farming community.
"Unfortunately DARD have ignored our advice and are pressing ahead with the plan to remove ‘second time IC’s’.
"Our criticism is that unless a comprehensive TB strategy is implemented, dealing with all sources of TB including wildlife, then our objective of eradicating TB from the countryside will not be achieved”.
Graham Furey added: “Exactly one year ago the Minister launched a new holistic and strategic approach to dealing with TB. This was built on three key strands: partnership between Government and industry; controlling the spread of TB between cattle; and addressing the wildlife factor.
"We welcomed this announcement and looked forward to decisive action being taken on the wildlife issue. It is frustrating that DARD are being so proactive in other aspects of the programme while there is a lack of decisive action on dealing with TB in wildlife”.
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