BSE case isolated to a single animal

The McArdle farm in Louth Village where the BSE case was discovered

The Department of Agriculture has said final tests on the recent suspected case of BSE found in a cow in Co Louth have confirmed that it was an isolated case in a single animal.

The department said all of the animals that grew up with that cow on the Louth Village dairy farm had been traced and slaughtered and tested.  All were found to be clear of any trace of the disease.

A total of 67 animals were tested, including four calves born from the BSE-infected cow.

The department also said the cow’s mother and grandmother had also been tested and they too were found to be clear of the disease.

In addition, the department confirmed the integrity of the commercial feed supply chain to the farm on which the BSE cow was found.

It said between 2009 and 2010 more than 3,800 animal feed inspections and almost 2,500 feed samples were taken, including 52 from suppliers to the farm infected.

In all cases, the tests on the feeds were found to be clear of all signs of processed animal proteins and all tested negative for meat and bone meal.

The department will now inform the EU Commission and the World Animal Health Organisation of the findings of its tests.

It says it expects the health agency will reassign the BSE control risk status to Ireland as a result of this confirmation.

Reacting to the results IFA President Eddie Downey told RTÉ “consumers can be re-assured about the robustness of the food safety controls in place in Ireland”.

He said: “This and the high quality of Irish food has rightly reassured export markets from all over the world.”

Meanwhile, ICSA President Patrick Kent warned that the confirmation of a BSE case must not be used as an excuse to drive down price.

“Farmers have seen a welcome tightening of prices in recent days, and meat processors cannot use this result, an isolated one-off case, as a stick to hammer farmers with,” he said.

Louth IFA express concern at increase in number of cattle raids

At the farm gate where the cattle were stolen was farmer Anthony Duffy (left) and Matthew McGreehan, Louth IFA Chairman

The Louth Branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association have expressed concern at the increase in the number of cattle raids in the county at present.

The IFA have released a statement encouraging people in rural areas to be vigilant to deal with what they describe as a “serious problem”.

Local farmer Anthony Duffy of Doolargy, Ravensdale had five bullocks stolen from him, between the late hours of Tuesday July 8^th and the early hours of the Wednesday July 9^th. The bullocks had consisted of two Charolais, two Aberdeen Angus and one black Hereford. The cattle were valued at approximately €7,500.

Anthony had checked the cattle at 10.30pm on Tuesday night and also 8am on Wednesday morning. When he arrived that morning the cattle were gone. The cattle were due to go to the factory the coming Friday.

Anthony said: “The thieves had prised the gate open and put it back so people wouldn’t notice. It’s becoming a major problem all over the country but especially in the border counties. They suspect that my cattle were brought to illegal abattoirs and are more than likely slaughtered by now.

“It is a huge loss to any farmer to lose cattle after looking after them for two years,” he said.

The farmer had no insurance that covered the theft – up until recently no insurance company offered this – but FBD are now offering an insurance policy which covers theft of livestock.

Louth IFA Chairman Matthew McGreehan said in a statement: “The Garda, PSNI and departments on each side of the border are going to have to cooperate more to deal with this serious problem.

“I hope to also meet with the local Superintendent to discuss this matter. I also ask for local people especially in rural areas to be vigilant and to raise an alarm if they see or suspect suspicious activity. If anyone in the area had seen anything please report it to the Gardaí or County Chairman.”

Final entries sought for FBD Farmer of the Year competition

Launching the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition in Louth were from left: Leah Kehoe, FBD Insurance; Tomás O’Reilly, North Louth Macra; Aidan Ruddy, Louth FBD Young Farmer of the Year finalist 2013; and Matthew McGreehan, Louth IFA Chairman

Final entries are being sought for this year’s Louth FBD Young Farmer of the Year.

Now in its 16th year, the aim of the competition is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged on many areas including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement.

A county winner will be chosen who will go through to the All-Ireland final in September. The competition was launched by organisers, Macra na Feirme, sponsors FBD and partners, the IFA.

Aidan Ruddy, who was the Louth County winner last year said: “I think it’s a very worthwhile competition to enter as it shows you what other farmers are doing to improve their own enterprise and become more efficient at producing their product, it’s a great experience and helps to set out plans for the future.”

Macra National President, Kieran O’Dowd, said: “This is a prestigious competition which recognises the drive, ambition and hard work of the young farmers working in the sector today and it’s important to use it as a springboard for their future career.”

If you want to find out more, watch Irish and International rugby star, Seán O’Brien and the current FBD Young Farmer of the Year, John Buckley, talk about why they think every young farmer should enter on www.macra.ie/videos.

The overall winner of the competition will receive a bursary to undertake international travel and study farm practices. Young farmers can also be nominated for the competition. Anyone who nominates a young farmer will go into a draw for two nights B&B for two adults in any FBD hotel including dinner on one night.

Forms are available from Macra na Feirme national office by phoning 01-426 8900, from your local IFA or FBD offices and for download on www.macra.ie and www.ifa.ie. You can also apply online – just log on to macra.ie.