Animal Health Ireland:

Animal Health Ireland (AHI), which was formally launched by Minister Brendan Smith on 28th January 2009, is a partnership approach to animal health that brings together livestock producers, processors, animal health advisers and government.

The main aims of organisation are, through superior animal health and welfare, to improve overall profitability for individual farmers and the agri-food industry and to enhance the competitiveness of Irish livestock and food in the international marketplace. Animal diseases that are already subject to regulation (such as Tuberculosis and Brucellosis) are specifically excluded from its remit. All of the partner organisations have entered into a firm commitment to provide financial support to AHI for an initial period of five years.

AHI is managed by a Steering Group (chaired by Mr. Mike Magan) which acts as the Board of the organisation. The Steering Group reports to a Stakeholders' Group, which represents the founding organisations that have financed the initiative (Dairy processors, farmers' organisations, co-operatives and various service providers), and which has overall responsibility for the strategic direction, structure and financing of the organisation. A small Executive is responsible for developing policy options and for implementing agreed strategy.

While AHI will not become involved in the direct provision of services at farm level, which will continue to be delivered by veterinarians, Teagasc advisers and others, the organisation will play an important role in coordinating the efforts of the various service providers.

Firstly a list of diseases that should take priority in setting up disease control programmes was established. Opinions of experts in various fields (such as animal production and health, agricultural marketing and economics) and of farmers were surveyed. There were seven top priorites identified including:

  • IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis)
  • BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea)
  • Johnes Disease
  • Infertility
  • Udder health
  • Lamness
  • Disease in young calves

 

Read more on http://www.animalhealthireland.ie