asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the expanded allocation for tuberculosis eradication, the proposals he has to look at the area of reactor compensation, and bring this compensation in line with full market value.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculosis Eradication.
11.
On 25 September I presented proposals for a new management structure for the bovine tuberculosis scheme to farmer and veterinary representatives. I am awaiting some responses to these proposals and the question of reactor compensation could be examined in the new arrangements.
Would the Minister not agree that under the present regulations the amount paid by way of compensation for reactors to individual farmers is derisory in comparison to the cost of replacements?
That is one of the matters I was addressing in the new proposals I left with the farming organisations who were in consultation with the veterinary associations. They asked me to leave it with them until they would report to me on those consultations. I am awaiting that response.
The Minister indicated that he initiated these proposals on 25 September. How long will it take to get an adequate response and have the new scheme up and running? We are almost at the beginning of another year and it looks as if it will be this time next year before this scheme comes on stream.
The Deputy will appreciate that if the farm organisations and the veterinary interests concerned asked me specifically for time to let them consult so that they could at least agree on the action I would take, that is what I should do, and what I have been doing. I am expecting to hear from them very shortly but I do not want to anticipate the outcome of those discussions. Even before the new management framework is introduced, the results under the old scheme were very encouraging. We have committed adequate financing this year and we will do the same next year and the following year.
I want to give the House what I hope will be reassuring information. More than 134,000 herd tests had been completed at the end of November and we found no major flare-up of disease. Some 5,200 herds are restricted. The number of animals now reacting is below three per 1,000 and the number of reactors is down in expectations. There are fewer than 50 herds infected with brucellosis. Even pending the introduction of a new management structure, considerable progress has been made and the Government and I are determined to provide adequate finance for this programme over the years.
In view of the fact that the Minister, as a Tipperaryman, must be in high good humour this afternoon with the successful outcome of the High Court case concerning the Derrynaflan hoard——
Indeed, I am.
Would the Minister give special consideration to the smaller farmers in the western disadvantaged areas who can have their livelihood wiped out if their cattle are hit by this disease? They are a special case. I have come across many of these people in my constituency.
I share with the Deputy the euphoria, joy and satisfaction at the outcome of the case concerning the Derrynaflan Chalice. I also appreciate the national implications involved.
(Interruptions.)
As a Tipperaryman I am conscious of the special position of disadvantaged farmers and I can assure the Deputy that the west and all disadvantaged areas will feature prominently in my plans.
The Minister indicated that he proposed to make adequate finance available.
Yes.
Has he forgotten that the money is coming from the farmers or is it his intention to relieve levies? Will he acknowledge that it is the farmers who are producing the money?
I am prepared to acknowledge that the farmers are producing a very considerable proportion of the money——
As long as the Minister acknowledges that.
I hope I was not misunderstood, but I was saying that the balance to be provided by the State is a very important element and I have guaranteed in all discussions with the farmers and the veterinary organisations that we will maintain that level of expenditure.
I included that in my June document.