The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details TB Eradication Programme

Intended results TB Eradication Programme - To highlight that TB continues to be an enormous burden on farmers and their families, compounded by the inadequate financial supports provided by your Department to farmers who have controls imposed on their farmers and exasperated by the lack of progress in achieving eradication of the disease. Farmers contribute €35m directly and a further €20m in labour annually to this programme, a level of contribution not replicated in any other jurisdiction in TB control and a figure which has increased disproportionately over the course of the current programme. Failure to continue an effective Wildlife Control Programme is a key driver of on-going TB problems and moves towards vaccination have resulted in serious TB outbreaks in parts of the country. The TB Forum which was established by Minister Creed to provide all stakeholders with an input to the decision-making process for the TB programme proved nothing more than a vehicle for the Department to implement their views while completely ignoring the substantive issues of concern for farmers. IFA has set out detailed proposals which significantly reduce the burden of TB controls on farmers and provide the platform for the implementation of the controls necessary to achieve eradication in the shortest feasible timeframe. There is an urgent need for a renewed TB eradication programme to address the unacceptable levels of TB farmers are forced to endure. This new programme must include - • Fair levels of support for farmers who are impacted by the controls deemed necessary to achieve eradication All components of the new programme must be finalised, agreed and launched with effect for early 2021, there is still ample time to agree a comprehensive all-inclusive programme for 2021. In addition to the difficulties with the current programme, the requirement in the Delegated Act of the EU Animal Health Law for a 30-day pre-movement test from herds that are over 6 months tested will have a huge impact on farmers throughout the country but particularly in areas of low levels of TB. This measure will not contribute to lowering the levels of TB and distorts the normal marketing of animals in particular from small scale suckler farms. This measure must not be included in the Irish TB programme and the actions necessary to ensure this must be pursued, including seeking an amendment to the relevant Delegated Act.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Pat Farrell IFA Animal Health Chairman

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Email (2-5)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Mairead McGuinness MEP (European Parliament)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)