ICSA Animal Health and Welfare chair John Barron has said that Minister Martin Heydon’s comment that he “won’t be waiting” for consensus with farm organisations before making changes to the TB Eradication Programme is the wrong approach at a critical time in the fight against the disease. “Farmers must be recognised as key stakeholders in this process – not just as passive recipients of policy. We are the ones living with the consequences of TB breakdowns every day – financially, emotionally, and operationally – and that experience cannot be overlooked,” he said.

Continuing, Mr Barron said, “Last week’s TB Summit was an important opportunity to reset the conversation on eradication, but real progress depends on genuine collaboration – not unilateral decisions. We believe that measures imposed without the trust and cooperation of the farming community are far less likely to succeed. Farmers are not demanding a veto, but they do expect to be listened to. Ignoring their lived experience and practical knowledge will only result in policies that are unworkable on the ground.”

Mr Barron urged Minister Heydon to take summit feedback seriously and not recycle flawed proposals such as herd categorisation and risk-based trading. “These were firmly rejected at the TB Forum. They would unfairly devalue cattle that have never tested positive for TB and threaten the viability of countless family farms. Covering production costs is already difficult – but if your cattle have been arbitrarily devalued, you’ve got no chance.”

Mr Barron said ICSA remains committed to a balanced and science-led approach to TB eradication. “Science must be applied consistently – not selectively to justify harsher rules for farmers while gaps in wildlife control go unaddressed. We have put forward practical reforms and raised valid concerns, and that is what constructive engagement looks like. What is needed are workable solutions developed with farmers – not imposed on them.”

ENDS