asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the scheme of compensation for reactor cows removed under the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme does not take into account loss of income; and if he will accordingly increase the level of compensation payable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reactor Cow Compensation.
65.
The price paid by my Department for a reactor, under the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme as well as under the TB Eradication Scheme, is the price that might reasonably be obtained for the animal from a purchaser in the open market who has no special knowledge that the animal is diseased. Alleged loss of income cannot be taken into account in assessing the market price.
I have decided to increase the maximum price for non-pedigree reactors from £140 to £170 as from 1st June.
Whilst the increase is welcome, it ignores the realistic cost of replacement. I would submit that in this particular sector the cost of replacement is, in fact, the market value of the beast being removed. While the step taken by the Minister is a move in the right direction towards compensating the farmer for his capital loss, the serious loss of income, particularly for a man in the dairy business, is not taken into account at all. If a farmer loses his cows there is an inevitable loss of income, very often for a considerable period, and this reduction in income can beggar a farmer. I suggest that the matter is now urgent.
Is the Minister aware that £170 is not realistic as a market price at the moment? In fact, cows are making up to £200 and £220 in the open market.
Has the Deputy a question?
Could I ask the Minister if he is aware that his Department, in taking the prices obtaining in the marts, are not taking the realistic value of the animal to the farmer into account because the type of cow that finds itself on sale in the mart tends to be a reject animal that the farmer wants to get rid of anyway and——
The Deputy may not make an argument at Question Time.
I think the increase in the ceiling will be acceptable to most farmers.
In view of the Minister's failure to give any indication of any kind of help for the loss of income sustained, I give notice that I want to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy is late today.
I will raise it next week.