Journal reports Beef IBR fall-out

The fall-out from the IBR debacle at the Tully Performance test station in Co Kildare will almost certainly result in the indefinite closure of the performance test station, the Farmers Journal reported.

A quick and practical resolution of the crisis is essential in order to keep beef breeding progress in Ireland on track. The ICBF does not have the resources for a costly and prolonged dispute on the issue. ICBF maintain that the best veterinary advice was followed.

The affected pedigree breeders have been scathing in their criticism of the ICBF's handling of the outbreak. In the past, an advisory committee was available that allowed consultation with breeders. This committee was allowed to lapse in recent times.

Last Thursday the ICBF advertised a rescheduled Tully sale but this was cancelled. The most likely outcome now is that breeders will be given the option of taking home their bulls for private sale. Veterinary experts maintain that given the testing and vaccination regimes used for the animals, breeders should have little difficulty finding buyers. However, some breeders are pushing hard for their bulls to be slaughtered and compensation paid. Some breeders are already threatening to take the legal route, an option that would be highly damaging for ICBF.

It is no secret that ICBF chief executive Brian Wickham is not universally popular with pedigree breeders. This latest crisis is providing ammunition to this group and he faces a difficult task to negotiate his way out of the crisis. Ironically, well-known vet and pedigree breeder Dr Doreen Corridan had only recently taken up a board-appointed role to resolve long running disputes between the cattle breeding body and pedigree breed societies. She was reported to have been making major progress on those difficulties. Tully is now top of her agenda.