Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 26th June 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Brucellosis testing regime to be reduced in NI
cattle
Currently, the Brucellosis Eradication Programme costs farmers an estimated £7 million a year in compliance costs.

CVO says: "We must not relax our attitude"

Northern Ireland's testing regime for brucellosis is set to be reduced ahead of schedule.

Announcing the news, agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill said biennial herd testing for beef cattle will be introduced from next week (29 June).

Changes will be phased in over the next few months.

This is expected to bring significant benefits to farmers and taxpayers.

"I anticipate major savings for industry, taxpayers and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) through the gradual dismantling of the brucellosis scheme as we move forward," Ms O'Neill said.

Currently, the Brucellosis Eradication Programme costs farmers an estimated £7 million a year in compliance costs and taxpayers around £8 million a year.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious cattle disease characterised by abortions. It can be transmitted to humans, with serious consequences for human health.

It has been more than three years since the last confirmed brucellosis case in Northern Ireland. An application for officially brucellosis free (OBF) status is currently with the EU Commission. Brucellosis testing will continue for five years after OBF status is granted.

While the reduced testing has been welcomed by the government and veterinary associations, the chief veterinary officer Robert Huey stressed the importance of continued compliance with biosecurity advice and testing measures.

"We must not relax our attitude to the reporting of abortions or any suspicion of brucellosis," he warned.

An isolated case of BSE was recently confirmed on a farm in County Louth. BVA president John Blackwell said this shows vets and farmers "need to be ever vigilant against the incursion of disease. Now is not the time to be lax in that vigilance."

BVA and BVA Northern Ireland branch said the early reduction in testing requirements is a testament to the hard work of vets and farmers.

"This has taken real and effective partnerships between vets, farmers and government," Mr Blackwell commented.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.