Beef breeds' dealings with ICBF reach an all-time low
IRELAND - Relations between the pedigree beef cattle breed societies and the ICBF have reached an all-time low with delegates from the pedigree cattle breeding societies passing a unanimous vote of no confidence in ICBF chief executive Dr Brian Wickham at a meeting last week.
30 January 2007
2 minute read
A spokesperson for the beef breed societies said they intend to "progress with the no confidence vote" at their pedigree breeders' council meeting due to be held today.
A spokesperson for the pedigree breeders said they did not attend the consultation meeting on the new €uroStar rating last week as they had already passed a no confidence vote in Dr Wickham and therefore would not be co-operating with him.
"It appears that Dr Wickham's main aim is to take over the registration of the pedigree breeds," the society spokesperson said. "As breed society delegates we feel he is not listening to our opinions or point of view. We have had numerous technical and consultation meetings and the views that we have put forward have been completely ignored."
The societies are also accusing Dr Wickham of impingeing on all the hard work they are carrying out.
Representatives from many of the pedigree breed societies said they are now distancing themselves from the ICBF.
The Irish Simmental Society is no longer making it compulsory for linear scoring and weight recording through the ICBF and last week the Irish Angus Society pulled out of the ICBF registration database, opting instead to resume their own registration operation.
Speaking to the Farming Independent yesterday, Dr Wickham said he totally rejected the allegations made by the breed societies. He said he had "heard rumours of" a no confidence vote but did not know if it had occurred as he had seen no minutes of the meeting.
"These comments are in no way a true reflection of the spirit of the ICBF," he said. "Despite numerous requests for meetings to discuss their concerns, the societies have refused to meet with me. I have fallen over backwards to address their concerns.
Source: Business Xtra
