Calls to revoke new IP restrictions on AI bulls intensify
Speaking after a meeting with artificial insemination (AI) company representatives yesterday, president of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), Francie Gorman said AI companies need to withdraw plans to bring in intellectual property (IP) restrictions on AI bulls in 2025.
Dovea Genetics, Eurogene, Munster Bovine, and Progressive Genetics - four of the Ireland's largest bovine AI businesses - announced plans to introduce IP rights on their high-grade bulls and semen back in February 2025.
The development was aimed at aligning with international best practices and an effort to “safeguard the Irish genetics industry and retain control of the industry in Irish farmers’ hands”.
The IFA has since called on these companies to revoke the move and remove all IP references from their terms and conditions, as well as from other legal documentation required of farmers to sign, citing "widespread confusion among farmers" as a result of the announcement.
The IFA president said: “There is widespread confusion among farmers about what they are being asked to sign up for.
"It’s very unclear what impact these restrictions could have on the value of bulls sold by farmers to domestic AI companies.
"It is also unclear what impact it could have on the second generation, with some AI companies proposing restrictions on the second generation also.
"I understand the concerns about the risk of losing our best genetics to international competitors, but this is not the way to go about it," Gorman added.
The IFA chief has described the decision as being "rushed in" during a busy period in the farming calendar, with little consultation opportunities afforded to farmers.
"It has been rushed in, just ahead of the breeding season, at a time when farmers are flat out calving cows," Gorman said.
"They are being asked to agree to changed terms and conditions or to enter a breeder’s club with little chance to assess what the implications could be for them.
“Any IP plans should be withdrawn for the coming breeding season, with time given to farmers to fully understand the implications of what they are being asked to sign up to,” Gorman concluded.
The IFA comments follow on from similar sentiment echoed by other farm organisations such as the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA).
The ICMSA has claimed that it is “highly doubtful” that Irish AI companies can apply intellectual property (IP) rights on farmers’ animals bred through conventional breeding practices.
