Since 1991, the Veterinary Department of Cork County Council has operated an Animal Health Monitoring Scheme. The scheme was made a condition of the air emission licence of one large multinational chemical company locating to the area at that time.
The multidisciplinary Scheme involves herd owners, private veterinary practitioners, Department of Agriculture and Teagasc staff, and is coordinated and managed by the Veterinary Department of Cork County Council on behalf of the EPA.
The scheme monitors the health of dairy cattle herds in the vicinity of the harbour area (Target herds) and herds in non-industrialised areas (Control herds). A field officer is employed for data collection and liaison with herd owners. The objectives of the scheme are to develop a database on the health.
