With postmortem charges set to treble, charges for testing animals at regional veterinary labs are “just another stealth tax on farmers”, said ICSA president Patrick Kent.
“The new RVL waste disposal charge arises from the Department no longer wanting to absorb the cost of animal disposal,” said Mr Kent. “I have serious concerns some farmers will now be disincentivised from bringing animals to regional veterinary labs, which could reduce the important animal health information service that the labs provide.”
The changes are intended to bring the existing labs charge in line with overall disposal costs at knackeries. Postmortem fees will now be subject to Vat at 23%. In the case of an adult cow, the Vat-inclusive lab charge for postmortem and disposal will be almost three times the existing cost, rising from €23.35 to €68.72.
Mr Kent was also critical of Revenue’s decision to apply the 23% Vat rate to laboratory testing.
“That change was unnecessary and will inevitably eat further into the bottom lines of Irish livestock producers,” said Mr Kent. “Farmers have seen an array of increased charges from state agencies over recent years all of which undermine the viability and competitiveness of Irish farming.”
(Source – Irish Examiner – Joe Dermody – Wednesday, March 26, 2014)