SF Seek Disease-Free Farm Environment

Sinn Fein wants Ireland to be free - free of the highly contagious cattle disease, brucellosis.

A delegation of farmers' representatives from both sides of the border has just met with the Sinn Fein Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in the Stormont Assembly, Michelle Gildernew.

The delegation included the county Chair of the Irish farmers Association (IFA) in both counties Monaghan and Louth, Bert Stewart and Denis Brennan, and the Co Louth IFA Dairy Chair Gerard Melia.

Representatives of the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) from Co Armagh were also on the delegation.

Organised by the Cavan/Monaghan TD and Sinn Féen Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, the focus of the meeting was on the critical importance of containing and eradicating the recorded brucellosis outbreaks on a number of farms north of the border.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said: "There is great concern among farmers on both sides of the border at the serious problem of brucellosis in cattle in Co Armagh. At present there is brucellosis free status south of the border and this is a huge advantage to farming there," he said,

"It has been estimated that before its eradication in the South, brucellosis control cost farmers €17m annually in monitoring and pre-movement charges.

"Most of this is now saved because of the South's brucellosis-free status. However, the persistence of the disease in the North means that some testing is still required and the full savings cannot be made."

This means that the spread of brucellosis to the South would have potentially devastating consequences including the ending of live exports to Europe and the closure of many export markets for dairy products to Asia: "This would be on top of much greater costs for farmers in testing cattle and working to eradicate the disease once more," the TD continued.

"This meeting was very constructive and was driven by a determination on both sides of the border to stamp out this disease and give the whole island of Ireland brucellosis-free status.

"Minister Gildernew and her officials share this determination and the delegation recorded their appreciation of the steps she and her Department are taking and plan to take in the period ahead.

"This is being done with the shared aim of preventing the spread of the disease and to eradicate it once and for all," he concluded.

Speaking after the meeting, the Stormont Executive Minister said: "My veterinary officials are monitoring the situation daily and responding to farmers' queries daily. I am determined that we will get back on track towards eradication and, as soon as is advisable, we can reduce the current restrictions which herds in the area have to operate under."

She continued: "The achievement of Official Brucellosis Free status for the entire island would deliver a range of benefits for all farmers with breeding stock, as farmers in the south can already testify, given the relaxation of regulations which they are now experiencing.

"I am very glad of the chance to hear the views of Monaghan, Louth and Armagh farmers and reassure them that DARD is taking any Brucellosis outbreak in the north very seriously. I welcome the open discussions held and their endorsement of our approach."

(BMcC/GK)