Commodity watch by policy officer David McClure
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) animal health and welfare committee have been focused on a varied workload during the winter months and now look to proactively drive forward on a number of issues.
Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) continues to headline the agenda at every meeting. Following the direction announced by the former Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair’s (DAERA) minister in 2022, for the first time in history the farming industry is able to utilise some of the TB control measures that DAERA has failed to capitalise on in the past. This fresh approach has been long awaited by our membership. With disease incidence at record levels the implementation of the revised strategy which for the first time will tackle the disease in all of its hosts, is urgently needed. DAERA are now taking steps to approve a not-for-profit company to deliver the intervention. Legislation is required in advance of the deployment of any intervention, so the absence of an Executive in Stormont is a concern. Nonetheless, the UFU continues to strive towards the delivery this autumn in the first hotspot area.
TB is not the only disease which is requiring the attention of a functioning executive. Earlier this year, DAERA consulted on herd restrictions relating to the eradication of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) from Northern Ireland (NI). Great gains have been made in recent years in the reduction of BVD on farms. This industry led initiative now requires the strengthening of current legislation in order to take the final steps towards eradication. The UFU have historically requested all of the proposed measures to be brought to fruition and is fully supportive of all tools that are needed to drive BVD eradication in NI. Trade barriers are already being seen with our nearest geographical neighbours the Republic of Ireland, who several years ago implemented similar measures to that which DAERA recently consulted, and now are moving rapidly towards official freedom from the disease.
The committee welcomed the lifting of the recent Avian Influenza housing order on 18 April 2023. Whilst this milestone gives great relief to flock owners, there remains a huge presence of the disease within the British Isles. As such, biosecurity practices should not be disregarded. Whilst the summer months traditionally represent a period of “peace time”, it is critical that this period is used to bolster defences for the forthcoming autumn. Farmers should be considering maintaining sheds during this period of time, ensuring that they are vermin proof, and that no access is possible by wild birds. Similarly, the UFU are continuing to engage with DAERA on the issue of backyard flocks, many owners of which remain blissfully unaware of the compliance requirements of owning even a single hen. It is critical that these flock owners are registered with DAERA and are suitably equipped and are prepared to comply with future housing measures. The summer months provide an ideal opportunity for these keepers of fowl to prepare for future housing orders, which look likely to become an annual occurrence.
