asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the present position in relation to fowl pest in this country; and on the prospects of an early opening of the Border for the export of day-old chicks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fowl Pest.
38.
As I announced on 1st June, the cross-Border trade in poultry, including day-old chicks, has now been re-opened following discussions between my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture of Northern Ireland.
Following the first confirmed case early this year, it was necessary to embark on a very extensive programme of testing. So far, 1,256 flocks have been tested, of which 29 gave positive results and 16 gave inconclusive results. The remaining 1,211 flocks were negative. A further 40 flocks have still to be tested and the 16 inconclusive flocks re-tested. At that stage, I am hopeful that we shall have eliminated the disease, but we shall do some further testing, as a precaution.
Will the Minister state whether he is considering any scheme of compensation for the many producers who have suffered heavy losses as a result of the closing of the Border?
The losses did not result from the closing of the Border but from the outbreak of the disease. There are provisions for compensation in certain cases.
Has the Minister's attention been directed to the circumstances of the flock owner who did not seek a test but who was required to submit to a test as part of the general betterment of agriculture campaign, whose test proved negative but who was debarred from normal trade during the period while the test was proceeding? Would the Minister consider doing anything to compensate such people for the loss of trade consequent upon the test they did not ask for and which proved to be negative?
I think there must be some misunderstanding on the Deputy's part there. I could not visualise anybody losing his trade as a result of a test. What happened was that, because of the general situation, the Border was closed to everybody. Many firms and individuals suffered financial disadvantage because of the closing of the Border but it was a general closing which applied to everybody.
I understood that where a test was proceeding, the firm was precluded from selling hatching eggs until the result of the test, initiated by the Department, had been brought to hand and that there were cases where firms selling hatching eggs were prevented from selling them for two or three weeks while the test was in progress and were at a loss of their normal trade which they could not subsequently recover because their customers were forced to other sources of supply. If I bring a case of that kind to the Minister's attention, will he look into it?
Yes.
In what cases may compensation be paid? Is it only in cases where they are told to slaughter the flock and is there nothing for those who suffer losses otherwise?