The onus is on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to improve reactor removal times.
That is the view of the ICSA, who made the remark when welcoming news that farmers can now apply for TB compensation online.
Farmers have the option to complete their application for TB compensation under the On-Farm Market Valuation scheme online.
The new TB compensation portal will also allow farmers to accept or reject the valuation of their animals that an independent valuer carries out on-farm.
The DAFM is introducing the measure to reducing the amount of time TB reactors spend on-farm.
It believes it will expedite the response time from farmers to DAFM and eliminate postal costs.
Reactor removal times
In welcoming the news, ICSA animal health & welfare chair Hugh Farrell said:
“The move must result in the Department speeding up the process of reactor removal.”
“The removal of reactors in a timely manner is critical to keeping the spread of TB at bay. Yet, the process of removing reactors is frequently delayed by the valuation process, and particularly so, if a farmer appeals an initial valuation.”
“The department has set a target of its own to remove reactors within seven days of valuation. But, we have seen this target missed on too many occasions.”
“It is time now for the department to make a concerted effort to hit that target each and every time. They have not been slow to place more and more demands on farmers. However, this is something that is in their control, and we want to see results.”
“It is important for farmers to know that they can still appeal any valuation – whether this valuation is done in person by a valuer or done online. This a right that must be protected,” he concluded.
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