Ulster Farmers’ Union Animal Health and Welfare Chairman Jonathan Moore has welcomed Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill’s announcement that her department is now accepting applications for high biosecure Alternative Controlled Herds (ACH) saying it is a step towards helping those farmers closed with TB who are feeling the pressure and facing the practical difficulties associated with a TB breakdown.
Jonathan Moore continued; “For years now the Ulster Farmers’ Union has been pressing for the creation of something like these high biosecure Alternative Control Herds (ACH) to help farmers closed with TB who may be struggling to cope with an overstocked herd. It’s unfortunate that it took the fodder crisis earlier this year to highlight the gravity of the overstocking issue but at least progress has been made quickly in the last eight months. There are a number of farmers out there who have been closed with TB for some time now and having the option to move stock out of their herd will be a welcome relief.
“An Alternative Control Herd (ACH), will be a highly biosecure unit from which cattle can only go directly to slaughter. The Ulster Farmers’ Union would encourage any farmer who perceives that he could set up an ACH to give it real consideration. Benefits of the unit will include reduced TB testing and access to individual TB test clear cattle from TB closed herds. Farmers should contact their local DVO to discuss their individual set up and its suitability to set up an ACH on the yard.
“It will take some time for the ACHs to be set up so in the meantime if you are a farmer with a TB problem and are dealing with overstocking issues, please contact the Veterinary Officer in your area as soon as possible to discuss your situation.”
