ICMSA say Minister is specifically accountable for TB reset –  “Clear communication is key”

Speaking after the publication of the latest iteration of the TB rules that have been sent out to farmers this week, the Deputy President of ICMSA, Eamon Carroll said that he was very disappointed to note that the publication only sets out rules for farmers, with no other stakeholders specified.  Mr. Carroll stressed to the Department that every effort must be put into clear communication of the actions expected of everyone – the Department, farmers, vets, dealers, CFUs – under the new programme.   Noting that the letter will be arriving through letterboxes around the country over the next week, Mr. Carroll said that basic testing, purchasing and selling rules for farmers are not outlined to the degree of detail required in the document called ‘Bovine TB Action Plan Your guide to the new changes’ and there should be a comprehensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document sent to all farmers so that they can see the correct course of action in multiple scenarios.  The ICMSA Deputy President also called for the Department to set out the targets for everyone – “including themselves” – as there was a conspicuous silence on the targets to be achieved by non-farmers in this plan.

“It’s no secret that ICMSA has objected to what we see as the disproportionate share of the new rules and required actions involved in the TB reset that are aimed exclusively at farmers.  ICMSA believes the key issue is clear and timely communications; there are changes coming on April 13 and farmers are now only being informed of those. The timeframe is unacceptably short, and farmers need to know what those changes are and what measures will be taken on Controlled Finishing Units and Dealers’ herd as well as changes to the Wildlife program”, said Mr. Carroll.  

The ICMSA Deputy President said that a “perfect example” of the need to inform in good time was provided by looking at farmers who are in a breakdown on or after April 13:  “They need to know what the situation is on the prohibition of sale of cows in the once-restricted cohort for 24 months post removal of last reactor.  There will be farmers in that situation, and they have to know what the rules are as the financial implications for these farmers is absolutely huge. The Minister is placing a huge burden on these individual farmers with no recognition of the implications”, he explained.

The ICMSA Deputy President said that everyone – specifically Minister Heydon – had to understand that from this moment onwards, it was not a question of ‘what’ but rather of ‘who’ – and that ‘who’ was the Minister himself.   

“This is no longer just a policy issue—it is a question of accountability. If confusion, disruption, and financial loss follow from poorly communicated rules, then the Minister cannot deflect blame onto officials or the complexity of the system.   The responsibility is his, and farmers will expect him to stand over the consequences of decisions taken on his watch. This is his policy and the results – effective or ineffective – are going to be the Minister’s.  The document being sent to farmers is incomplete in only focusing on one aspect of the Minister’s plan and we need to see clear communication on the other aspects, including the wildlife programme”, he concluded. 

Ends      1 April 2026

Eamon Carroll, 087-6312945

Deputy President, ICMSA.

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office