Livestock farmers and exporters have called on the Department of Agriculture to simply "wipe out" herds infected with brucellosis in a dramatic bid to eradicate the disease.
One farmer from County Armagh, who faces daily restrictions and extra costs as a neighbouring herd is infected, spoke for many when he called for tougher action.
Preferring to remain anonymous, he said: "If there are only a small number of herds infected with this disease in Northern Ireland then why does DARD not totally wipe those herds out to reduce cases of brucellosis even more, maybe even moving to eradicate it?"
Incidents of brucellosis in Northern Ireland is on the decrease but that has only added to the pressure on DARD to eradicate it once and for all.
The Republic of Ireland, which had a greater incidence of the disease than Northern Ireland at one time, declared itself officially brucellosis free in July this year.
According to DARD there are currently 29 herds under restriction in the province for having at least one brucellosis reactor in their herd.
Of these, the department says 12 have had infection confirmed on bacteriological culture and have been depopulated; another two herds strongly suspected of being infected have also been depopulated; and 12 more herds which were culture negative are under restriction until further herd testing is completed.
The remaining three herds are awaiting culture before a decision is made on whether to depopulate or test.
The County Armagh farmer said with a comparative few herds now affected, why didn't DARD simply cull the animals and with them the disease.
He said: "Even though my animals are not infected I face restrictions because one of my close neighbour's animals are. I feel this is unfair to me as that farmer is constantly down with brucellosis.
"I feel DARD should be doing more to free up restrictions on farmers like myself who are free from brucellosis."

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November 6th 2009
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