asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of general dissatisfaction with the present system of payment for TB reactors; and if he will have the matter thoroughly investigated and a fairer scheme put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reactor Cattle.
28.
I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the present system of payment for TB reactors but I am aware that there is some dissatisfaction with the levels of compensation payable. I am having this question examined by my Department at present.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary received submissions about this from the Animal Health Council?
The Animal Health Council have been in touch with the Minister on this subject and I believe certain recommendations have been made. I am not in a position to disclose those until such time as they are agreed.
Will special cognisance be taken of hardship cases?
Yes.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Minister to change the whole system because the present system is absolute robbery? The present system is all wrong.
What is the present position in regard to negotiations with the EEC? I understand a scheme is being announced to be financed by them some time around 1st January.
I am not in a position to give that information to the Deputy but, if he puts down a question, I will give him the information.
Surely it is relevant?
It is not relevant on the question asked by Deputy Meaney.
I understand these negotiations have been going on for the past three months and we have representatives from both the Department and the farming organisations taking part in these with regard specifically to TB reactors so that they will bear a fair share of the cost provided the counties concerned would carry on the scheme in operation and that is very relevant to the question asked. Surely the information is available.
When does the Parliamentary Secretary propose to implement the pledge given in paragraph two of his party's manifesto in the recent election to full compensation and, secondly, is he aware of some dissatisfaction on the part of producers because they are not getting adequate prices for certain categories of animals from the factories under the scheme because these carcases may not be exported?
I can assure the Deputy that any undertaking given in our election manifesto will be put into operation.
When?
During the course of the next five years. We will have five years, I hope, in which to do it. Pay for reactors relates mainly to live store cattle and milking cows and, as I said, is now being negotiated. Further than that I cannot go.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not accept that the bulk of producers who may have read this manifesto expect that a pledge of this nature in regard to an urgent and pressing matter would have been implemented immediately on the assumption of office by Fianna Fáil and would he say now why this part of the programme has not been implemented?
The Deputy knows we are only three months in office. I can assure him any promise we made in that manifesto will be implemented.
I can equally assure the Parliamentary Secretary he will hear more about this.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.