Bovine TB Forum Meeting.pdf

Date and Time: 13 June 2021, 11:00 – 13:00
Location: Virtual Meeting
* Attendees: Representatives from various organizations, including ICMSA, ICSA, ICOS, IFA, NPWS, Irish Wildlife Trust, Animal Health Ireland, and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)

Key Discussion Points:

1. Statistical Update: DAFM provided an update on current bovine TB trends and inconclusive statistics.
2. Animal Health Law: Discussion on movements into restricted herds, pre/post movement testing, and risk mitigation plans.
3. Communications: DAFM presented on strategic communications, with FOs opposing replacement of round test letters with text messages and proposing simplified letters and text messages.
4. Wildlife: IFA summarized their submission on wildlife, seeking increased staff resources allocated to wildlife.

Action Points:

1. Costing of FOs proposals on incentives to remove inconclusive animals early.
2. Breakdown of reactors by breed type and age to be provided to the IWG.
3. Revised document on movement into restricted herds to be re-circulated and policy implemented.
4. DAFM to inform Minister on FOs position regarding pre and post movement testing under new AHL.
5. FOs to assist in disseminating TB bio-security advice to members.
6. Single point of contact/customer relationship management software issue to be added to September meeting agenda.
7. Request to reconvene Irish Deer Management Forum to be conveyed to Minister.

Next Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, 10 August 2021, at 11:00 AM.