New EU regulations must address farmers’ fears

IFA Animal Health Chairman Pat Farrell said IFA has continually and consistently outlined concerns that must be addressed in the new EU Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations to the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, Irish MEPs and senior Department of Agriculture officials. He said discussions on these regulations have commenced the trilogue stage and it is vital that the interests of Irish farmers are strongly represented in these discussions.

He said that the regulations ‘ have the potential to impact negatively on Irish farmers and their ability to ensure the health and welfare of their animals in a practical and cost-efficient way.’

In the context of appropriately addressing the AMR concerns, Mr Farrell said the emphasis must be on competitive prices for key animal medicines such as vaccines and doses. Limiting access to these types of products is counterproductive to reducing the use of antibiotics.

CATTLE SALES REPORT - THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8:

Small sale of cattle, with 60 calves on offer. Good trade for all classes, especially the cull cows, grass customers starting to appear.

Store Bullocks over 500kgs €500 to €780 over €/kg; Store Bullocks over 400kgs €440 to €700 over €/ kg; Store Bullocks over 300kgs €400 to €580 over €/kg; Store Bullocks over 200kgs €330 to €540 over €/ kg; Store Heifers over 400Kgs €410 to €560 over€/kg; Store Heifers over 300kgs €360 to €510 over €/kg; Beef Cows €360 to €640 over €/kg; Feeding Cows €50 to €320 over €/kg

Calves: Fr Bulls €50 to €100 per head; Stronger Fr Bulls €100 to €200 per head; Cont. Bulls €180 to €400 per head HE/AA Bulls €160 to €300 per head; HE/AA Heifers €120 to €280 per head SHEEP SALE FEBRUARY 8: Larger sheep sale with 2450 sheep on offer, much improved trade for heavy lambs with prices up €3/€5 a head. All other classes up by €2/€3 a head. Cull ewes sold up to a top price of €134.

Lambs over 50KG: €116 - €123; Lambs 45 – 49 KG: €105 - €119; Stores over 35KG: €85 - €104; Stores under 35KG: €77 -€90; Heavy Cull Ewes: €115 - €134; Light Cull Ewes: €65 - €98; In-Lamb Ewes: €104 - €165; Ewes with single lambs at foot: €140 - €177

Prices: 2 R/H – 60KG at €142; 22 H – 56KG at €123; 44 H – 55KG at €122 10 H – 53KG at €123; 6 H – 60KG at €122; 27 H – 52 KG at €117; 10 H – 47 KG at €116; 6 H – 50KG at €120.50; 18 H – 47KG at €113.50; 15 H – 37 KG at €91.50 5 H – 47KG at €121; 18 H – 29KG at €75; 29 H – 40KG at 100.50; 48 H – 49KG at €115.50; 16 H – 37.3KG at €93; 10 H – 60KG at €122; 10 H – 40KG at €104.50