New TB Regulations Benefit Irish Farmers

Irish farmers received encouraging news about their rights and entitlements in the event of a TB reactor discovery at a recent meeting organized by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) in Tuam, Co. Galway.

Relief for Farmers Dealing with TB Restrictions

TJ Maher, Chair of the IFA Animal Health Committee, reassured farmers experiencing TB restrictions that they can purchase replacement animals while retaining their live valuation and income supplement entitlements.

Maher highlighted several key changes to the TB programme that ease the burden on affected farmers:

• Contract rearing herd movements are facilitated.

• The penalty points system on the live valuation scheme has been removed.

• Increased rates for Income Supplement and Depopulation Grants are now in place.

Key Changes to TB Restricted Herd Payments

The meeting focused on the updated TB restricted herd payment system, which became effective on February 1, 2023:

• Herd owners now receive Income Supplement support from the date reactors are identified.

• Changes ensure farmers receive income supplement even during the three weeks it takes to remove a reactor, a period previously lost under the old regime.

Maher also highlighted the removal of an income impediment for eligibility for the Hardship Grant, coupled with increased rates, which he said had significantly impacted farmers.

Hardship Grant Increases

Farmers seeking clarification on the varying compensation rates for suckler and dairy cows learned about the rationale behind the rates, which are based on Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures of three-year income averages.

The following are the increased Hardship Grant rates:

• Suckler cows: hiked from €38 to €50 per cow.
• Dairy cows or other animals: increased from €25 to €30 per animal.
• Maximum payment: lifted from €250/month to €300/month for the four months of the scheme.

Backdated Payments and Testing Flexibility

Maher informed farmers that approximately 1,300 are owed backdated TB compensation payments, with letters outlining the payment schedule (before year-end) expected soon. He acknowledged, however, that the delay in these payments is unacceptable.

He also pointed to the flexibility granted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) allowing farmers to move their annual herd tests by up to three months in 2023 and 2024 to align with normal sales times.

“You could move your herd test in 2023, by three months, or 2024 by three months, without any penalty if your argument was ‘I’m selling animals, I would like to make sure my animals are within the six-month test window’.

Maher emphasized the importance of reinstating this flexibility for future years to accommodate farmer needs.

Stay Informed. Get Involved.

For detailed information on the latest TB regulations and support systems available to Irish farmers, visit the Irish Farmers’ Association website or contact your local IFA representative.