IFA Animal Health Chairman Pat Farrell said the Minister for Agriculture must take control of the TB situation and convene discussions as a matter of urgency.

IFA Animal Health Chairman Pat Farrell said the Dept of Agriculture should look at the TB model in Scotland, which has been bTB free since 2009, with fewer prohibitive controls on farms and no blacklisting of farmers.

IFA Animal Health Chairman Pat Farrell said the new EU Veterinary Medicine Regulation has the potential to severely impact on competition in the supply of anthelmintics to farmers.

Commenting on the announcement today by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to reconvene discussions in the TB Forum, IFA President Tim Cullinan said the Minister must ensure it delivers real change in the TB programme, including a withdrawal of the Herd Risk letters and a meaningful opportunity for farmer input.