Ms Finola McCoy:

I will come back to the concern over cost increases. I would argue quite the contrary. Our goal, and the aim in all that we do, is to support farmers to get the best outcomes. The changes or opportunities we face include required change under legislation in how antibiotics are prescribed. That will be required . As an industry, what we can do collectively is support farmers through that transition because supports and help will be necessary. There is also an opportunity as part of that, as outlined by Ms McAloon and Professor More, to improve milk quality overall. That brings with it a financial gain.

We are talking about reducing the need for and, therefore, the use of antibiotics. That comes with financial benefits. We are also talking about improving efficiencies and overall mastitis control on farm. That comes with financial opportunities and benefits. Blanket dry cow therapy is the practice of giving all cows an antibiotic tube at the end of their lactation or at drying off.

For some of those cows it is a necessary treatment, but for the other cows, this is done just in case, and that just-in-case use of the antibiotic is no longer acceptable under new regulations. From talking to farmers who have successfully moved away from what we refer to as blanket dry cow therapy, they are all extremely happy they have done so for various reasons, including cost savings, but also, and I do not think we should underestimate this, the ease of management and reduced stress levels of managing such a herd the following spring. Whey they implement that change successfully with the correct supports from their service providers, it is a success and yields benefits in terms of costs. I do not think we should assume this will cost more. It has the potential to save farmers money.