asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of money which has been collected to date under the Bovine Disease (Levies) Regulations, 1987; and if the target of £19.4 million will be achieved this year.
59.
Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases (Levies) Regulations.
43.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the bovine diseases levies must remain at as high a rate in 1988 as in 1987.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 59 together.
The new arrangements for an aggressive drive against bovine TB as announced in the Programme for National Recovery will require a significant expansion in the disease eradication schemes in 1988. The funding arrangements for the expanded programme require that disease levies be maintained at existing rates and that the Exchequer's commitment to the programme be effectively maintained at the 1987 level.
Some £16 million has been collected in disease levies so far this year and it is expected that the £19.4 million provided for in this year's Estimate will be realised.