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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 26th June 2015
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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.

 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.