Mayo farming concerns over proposed laboratory closure

FARMERS in Mayo are up in arms over the proposed closure of the veterinary laboratory in Sligo which services the entire region.

They took part in a protest at the facility to highlight their strong opposition to the proposal.

Sixteen people are employed at the laboratory which serves seven counties.

Deputy Eamon Scanlon (FF) said he understood that officials from the Department of Agriculture met with the 16 staff in question.

“If this facility were to close, it would be poor and very unfair because dead animals would have to be transported hundreds of miles across the country.

“Such a decision would fly in the face of the rural action plan. This is the only facility of its kind in the north west.”

In 2015, the Sligo laboratory catered for 3,140 post mortems and 26,500 samples were presented for diagnostic testing.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Deputy Scanlon's point about having to transport animals across the length and breadth of the country is a significant one.

“The department had to clamp down on all movements when we unfortunately had BSE here some uears ago. People responded very strongly to that.

“The need to move carcasses across the country for analysis and investigation is an issue in itself. I will raise the matter again with the Minister for Agriculture.”