asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the sum of £14 was paid under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme to a person (name supplied) for a reactor animal, which was not the price agreed between officials of his Department and the owner.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme.
18.
The animal was reported as a suspected clinical case of tuberculosis at a test of the herd in July last, and the herdowner agreed to surrender it to my Department at a valuation of £35. However, the animal died before delivery could be effected. Post-mortem veterinary examination showed that death was not due to tuberculosis.
Under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme, compensation may be paid only for animals actually taken up by my Department. However, in the special circumstances of this case, I authorised an ex-gratia payment of £14. This represents the difference between the valuation of £35 and the estimated salvage value which the Department would have received had the animal been collected for delivery to a meat factory.