Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
800. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered allowing retesting with regard to BVD in order to reduce the need for compensatory payments and reduce interruptions of farm business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43591/21]
View answerAs Ireland nears the status of BVD free is it imperative that Ireland strengthens our eradication programme controls to ensure that we achieve our target of 'BVD free' as soon as possible, with the resultant productivity benefits and reduced eradication costs for our farmers.
Disease modelling has indicated that the quicker infected animals are removed off farm the greater the likelihood Ireland can achieve the goal of 'BVD free'.
To this end, in agreement with the BVD Implementation Group and as part of an escalation of the eradication effort with significantly increased supports for affected farmers, new legislation has been implemented in 2021 to remove the automatic right to a BVD retest an individual animal. This has had the effect of significantly reducing the time period during which test positive animals have retained on farm.
It remains the case that the Minister may, if it is the interests of the overall BVD eradication programme, direct that a test positive animal may be retested if there is evidence that such may be warranted.
The new Animal Health Law (AHL) came into force in April 2021, and it sets out the requirements for recognition of BVD eradication programmes at EU level. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 requires at least 99.8 % of the cattle herds representing at least 99.9% of the cattle population must be categorised as free from BVD, with Ireland cannot have a confirmed BVD cases in the preceding 18 months. DAFM will make an application to the European Commission for approval of an eradication programme by year end 2021; and intends to meet the criteria to apply for BVD free status by 2023.
