The continuing delay in reopening the regional veterinary laboratory in Athlone is posing problems for farmers in the west and midlands, with fears that the facility might not reopen.
The laboratory was closed temporarily early last year for upgrading and refurbishment work as part of the Government's decentralisation programme.
Its closure has left veterinary surgeons without the means to carry out post-mortem examinations on the carcasses of animals. The service determines the cause of death and allows farmers to contain the disease and stop it from spreading to other farm animals.
Since the laboratory closed last year, farmers from counties such as Westmeath, Offaly and Galway have had to travel to the Sligo regional laboratory.
The delay is now leading to speculation that the facility may not reopen, and that some services may be lost to the region.
A Department spokesman said all the services at the Athlone laboratory would be available again by the summer when essential works were due to be completed.
