EDITORS COMMENT
It's late in the year, and its definitely late in the day to be writing an article for the August bulletin.  So, in the best tradition of compromise born of years of tribalism, we'll call this the Sept/Oct bulletin, even though I have just torn the page representing November 2nd from McLernons Calendar.  This article look more and more like a pint of Bulmers every day .... All in its own good time. However, unlike the aforementioned jungle juice, it never quite packs that intoxicating punch.  Why is that, I wonder ? Need longer in the cask is the first answer I grab at.  Longer fermentation - less sugar - better punch. 
The last thing I recall oozing about was our own resident Europhile who undoubtedly continues to harass and harangue the good burghers of Brussels on our behalf.  The point being, having had his day in the sun he is back at work; and the rest.  I, on the other hand have a more liberal view of such matters, and like an unfit "type sportif" (which I am), I find my recovery periods becoming longer and longer after ever shorter periods of stress, or leisure for that matter.
Anyway, in an effort to wean myself slowly back into the affairs of Pharmachem, I attended a meeting of the Sheep Section of the Cattle and Stockowners Association in Lawless Hotel in Aughrim a short while back in the company of Rory Culliton, who addressed the meeting, and Neil Gallagher, the local Pharmachem member.  The meeting was sparsely attended, but those present were in good voice.  Those voices all sang the same song .... Doom and Gloom.  There is really something quite chilling about hearing the same plaintive refrain over and over.  Times are surely bad.  
That being said, it was also apparent that people have definitely come round to the notion of record keeping, traceability and the whole idea of quality assurance of their product (leg of lamb in this case).  This was  tinged with no small amount of resentment at the amount of processed end product on shop shelves with the same ingredients that they are diligently producing , originating from such exotic locations as Argentina and former Soviet states. Fair point, I'm thinking.  There was also a genuine level of concern expressed about the safety, or lack of it, of using organophosphate dips. This surprised me, as I did not see this at shop level, but I am in no doubt as to where the future of this enterprise must lie.
I guess the main lesson I took from the exercise was that it is worthwhile maintaining a level of visible and tangible contact with one's clients, because truly, it is hard to tell what someone really thinks (notwithstanding the risk of ambush from a loose cannon). Does all the above constitute a return to work for yours truly ?  We'll see how next months fermentation runs.. 

FASINEX LIVER FLUKE FORECAST 1999/2000

Condemnations in cattle and sheep due to liver fluke were 40% and 25% respectively in the 1998/99 season, and according to the latest Fasinex Fluke Forecast the risk of infection is just as high for the 1999/2000 season also. 
The substantial carry over effect of the disease from year to year, combined with the summer weather conditions, mean that the risk this season is worrying for farmers said Dr. Eddie Goodall, Fluke Consultant to Novartis Animal Health
"The computerised forecast for infection levels throughout the country this season is very high and the situation in the West of Ireland is extremely serious as the forecast predicts that the risk of infection there will be over double that in the rest of the country, Dr. Goodall said, when announcing the latest forecast.  Urging farmers to treat with flukicidal drugs Dr. Goodall said: "The most successful results will be obtained using an anthelmintic (e.g. Fasinex) which will remove adult, immature and early immature flukes, rather than one which kills only adult flukes". 
Infection can cause death in sheep, a loss of 5-15% of milk yield in daily cows and loss of growth in fattening lambs and cattle.   Liver fluke is thus a source of insidious extra financial loss to the agricultural industry throughout Ireland and this loss has been estimated at approximately £50 million per annum. 
COMPUTER FORECASTING SYSTEM 
A sophisticated computer forecasting system has been developed by scientists in order to predict accurately the level of liver fluke disease each year in Ireland, North and South.  The system uses an integrated computer database of abattoir condemnations plus key climatic data to facilitate precise forecasts of disease from year to year.

DOSING RECOMMENDATIONS  SHEEP
Dose all sheep immediately with Fasinex and at eight weekly intervals until March.  Sheep which have been diagnosed with acute fluke must be dosed with Fasinex at 3 to 4 week intervals.  Only Fasinex prevents sheep from acute fluke infections. 
CATTLE
Dose all young cattle immediately with Fasinex and again during the first two weeks after housing.
DAIRY COWS
Dose all dairy cows as soon as they dry off.  Over 50% of dairy cows carry liver fluke burdens and they reduce milk yield significantly.

Overall the consumer has confidence in the FDA and science has not been undermined which is totally in contrast with the European situation.
 

Irish Commissioner David Byrne plans to publish a white paper on food safety by the year end.  This will include an action place to regulate the food safety of the entire food chain.  This includes GM foods, purity of animal foodstuffs and legislation on veterinary and food issues.