THE Irish Veterinary Union has said the proposed changes for the bovine TB eradication programme, due to be introduced this year by the Minister for Agriculture are unworkable.
The union, which held preliminary talks with the Department on the proposals, is concerned about the implications of Mr Yates's plans for veterinary practices, and fears the new plans could worsen the situation in regard to bovine TB.
The proposals will "denude parts of the country of veterinary services", according to the IVU.
The union is to meet Department officials tomorrow to continue discussions.
Responding to the IVU yesterday, a spokesman for the Department said discussions with the union in regard to the proposals were continuing.
The farmers' organisations, the IFA, ICMSA, and Macra na Feirme, are expected to give their views on the proposals in the coming weeks.
Mr Yates, who announced the scheme in November, wants to devolve responsibility for controlling the disease to farmers, to abolish the compulsory pre movement test which farmers currently must carry out before they move animals off their farms, and to make farmers pay for a compulsory annual test.
The Minister has said he is "absolutely determined" to implement the changes which, in effect, will privatise bovine TB and brucellosis eradication programmes.
The IVU general secretary, Mr Pat Brady, said yesterday the union would establish contacts with farmers and explain the disease and financial implications for them if the Minister's proposals were to go ahead in their current form.