The Deputy President of ICMSA, Eamon Carroll, has said that the latest research from the ESRI looking into the behaviour and attitudes of Irish farmers to the bovine TB programme has highlighted, yet again, problems in the programme that have been obvious for decades.
Mr Carroll said the publication of the data must signal a new determination and energy to finally “get to grips with” and eradicate an animal disease that has had a devastating impact upon generations of farm families.
“That is going to require timelines and targets to be hit with the flexibility within the plan to ‘pivot’ and address areas that might need more resources or focus.
“But ICMSA is serious if the Government is serious; we have to have a clear map towards eliminating bTB from the country’s herds altogether and not just dampening it…