More farmers should be encouraged to participate in The Parasite Control Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH), which is considered to be an important initiative. IFA Animal Health Chairman TJ Maher says more could be done to encourage farmers to get involved.
The TASAH is open to all cattle and sheep farms, and includes a veterinary farm visit and two faecal egg counts. Funding is available for up to 40,000 farmers to participate in 2022, but Maher comments that the TASAH needs to be expanded to reward farmers for taking part.
The IFA Animal Health Chair said: “The TASAH has the potential to ensure better on-farm parasite control, but farmers must be rewarded and supported directly by DAFM for taking part. Direct financial support to farmers implementing the TASAH is a key aspect to increase the value for farmers and ultimately drive participation and uptake.”
He added that: “A competitive supply chain is also important for farmers. The NVPS and TASAH in their current formats do not resolve the competitive supply concerns for antiparasitic products.”
The extra time granted by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue’s decision to defer implementation of the prescribing requirement for anti-parasitic products is running out fast. “The deadline of 1 June is approaching, and without meaningful engagement by DAFM with all stakeholders, farmers will be left without access to a competitive supply chain,” he said.
Maher makes it clear that the IFA fully support the targeted use of all veterinary medicines, but the critical role played by veterinary pharmacies and license merchants must be recognised and facilitated in the Parasite Control TASAH.