An Post ‘reenforced the need for speedy processing’ regarding NGP
An Post has "reviewed the handling of mail" relating to tissue tag samples submitted to the National Genotype Programme (NGP), following complaints about delayed deliveries that may impact calf registrations.
A spokesperson for An Post told Agriland today (Monday, February 16): “We are aware of complaints from a small number of some customers of delays in the processing of tissue samples.
“We have recently reviewed the handling of this mail, which is mainly centred around three locations, and have reenforced the need for speedy processing of samples and associated documentation.
“While mail volumes have been at record levels from October of last year, we do not believe that this has been a contributory factor.”
ICBF
According to the ICBF, some farmers have reported delays in the processing of NGP documentation in recent weeks.
An ICBF spokesperson today told Agriland: “A historic 116,000 samples were received by the genotype lab in the past week, averaging more than 20,000 samples a day.
“The lab has ample capacity for these volumes and have turned around these samples in an average of 3.9 days with only 251 samples total currently in lab more than five days.
“While the number of calls has decreased, ICBF can confirm that we are still receiving calls from farmers who are experiencing delays with An Post in the delivery of genotyping samples to the lab.”
The ICBF spokesperson said that while “unfortunately, the An Post issues are outside our control”, it has been “in touch with An Post about the delays, as have many other organisations”.
“ICBF advises herds to continue to tag calves as early as possible and post regularly to minimise any negative impact should they be affected by a postal delay.
“Once the sample has been processed, An Post delays may also affect the passport delivery time.”
ICMSA
Last month, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) called on ICBF and Animal Health Ireland (AHI) to take "urgent action" in relation to postage issues in advance of peak calving season.
According to the ICMSA, over the past number of months there has been issues with postage, with the farm organisation claiming that some post has not arrived at the end-destination for up to two weeks after the initial posting date.
Michael O'Connell, the association's livestock chairperson, said at the time: "This is serious and we need AHI and ICBF to reach out on this issue to An Post before the onset of the peak calving period this spring and sort it out if we are to avoid a mess."
He also said it is important for farmers to receive cards as soon as possible following on from farm sample testing and registration.
"Considering the period we are in, it is crucially important that farmers receive 'blue cards' as quickly as possible to allow farmers to market their calves and achieve optimum prices this spring," O'Connell said.
