The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has urged farmers to get ready for changes to the TB testing and animal movement regime from next week.

ICSA animal health and welfare chairperson John Barron called on farmers to familiarise themselves with the changes to the TB eradication programme, which are due to take effect from next Monday (April 13).

"These changes form part of the TB Action Plan and will have practical implications for farmers in terms of testing and animal movements," Barron said.

"It is important that all farmers take the time now to understand what is required," he added.

According to the ICSA, the changes that are about to come in, while affecting all sectors, will vary depending on the type and scale of enterprise.

"For many drystock and suckler farmers, especially smaller herds, the overall impact will be limited," Barron said.

He added: "From the outset, the ICSA made it clear that lower-risk herds should not be overburdened, and it is positive that this has been reflected in the final plan."

He welcomed the removal of the post-movement test requirement, calling it "an unnecessary cost and inconvenience for farmers buying in stock".

"Its removal is a practical and common-sense step that reflects concerns we have raised over a long period," Barron added.

The ICSA animal health chair urged farmers to plan ahead when selling stock under the new rules.

"Farmers selling cows or bulls over 36 months should aim to do so within six months of their herd test," he said.

"Where that is not possible, they should consider a pre-movement test to protect the full market value of their animals.

However, according to Barron, there are significant issues with the measures in the new TB Action Plan, particularly compensation.

"Compensation is always the last thing the government wants to address," he claimed.

He said compensation is a "critical part" of the TB strategy, and that farmers "must be paid the true market value for animals removed, alongside proper income support and hardship grants that are fit for purpose".

"The department now needs to urgently re-engage in meaningful discussions on this issue," Barron said.

He also called for "meaningful action" on wildlife, saying: "The new TB Action Plan includes commitments on the wildlife programme, and farmers expect the [Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine] to also on act on these from April 13.

"This is not a one-side programme, and cattle measures alone will not succeed without a serious and visible effort to tackle wildlife as a source of infection," Barron added.