ICMSA say State Vet Offices “no wiser than the farmers ringing them” on new TB Rules

The Deputy President of ICMSA has asked the Minister and his Department when the dedicated bTB Helpline they promised last September was going to make an appearance – or will it ever?

Eamon Carroll said that farmers across the country are complaining that they are unable to receive clear concise guidance from RVOs that they have contacted with a bTB query.  He said that “far too often for comfort or confidence” it appeared that the Vet Offices were no wiser on the new rules than the farmers ringing them looking for guidelines on specific cases or circumstances.

“We’ve been pointing this out for months and the first question is what happened the TB helpline?  Last September Minister Heydon set out five fundamental points that he announced were going to be the basis for a whole new approach to bTB.  At the time, farmers were told, categorically, that there would be a dedicated TB Helpline that was going to be set up to help farmers navigate our way through the new set-up. Here we are, eight months later, and not a word about the dedicated Helpline. And the signal that this sends about the sincerity farmers can attach to Departmental announcements is very telling and, we think, very damaging to their reputation”, said Mr. Carroll.

Mr. Carroll said that farmers were unable to get through to their RVOs and when they did, found the staff no more knowledgeable or familiar with the new rules then were the farmers ringing them up for guidance.  He noted that introducing simple initiatives would move understanding and acceptance forward very significantly.

“What’s the situation on the removal of permits for sales from restricted herds to CFU’s? Let’s have people who really know the answers on standby for those farmers with simple questions and who are expert enough to guide the farmer through the process.  Can we have action on the ability to accept valuations online, because that’s a bit ‘Hit or Miss’?  The ability to know if a cow is eligible for sale should be clearly visible through Agfood. Where are we on our request that farmers whose animals are impacted by these new rules would be written to identifying the animals in question and what rules are in place? These are not complicated or random questions; they are integral and day-to-day queries to which there must be a speedy and clear response.  And there is not now – nor has there been for months.  It’s unfair on the farmers and unprofessional of the DAFM”, said Mr. Carroll.

The ICMSA Deputy President concluded by saying that the ‘Iron Rule’ of political administration applied here: “The buck stops with Minister Heydon and the longer this non-communication continues the more damage is done to his standing with farmers”

Ends     14 May 2026

Eamon Carroll, 087-6312945

Deputy President, ICMSA

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office