asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial problems of farmers in County Kilkenny due to the implementation of the bovine TB eradication scheme; whether the present scheme is haphazard and ineffective; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Bovine TB Eradication Scheme.
67.
I am satisfied that the present rates of reactor grants together with depopulation grants and income supplement are generous and adequately protect the livelihood of farmers affected by disease breakdown.
I established ERAD in April 1988 to undertake an intensive four-year programme with a target of halving the incidence of bovine tuberculosis. It is inevitable that in the early stages of the programme an increasing number of reactors are being identified and removed. I am confident that the benefits of this intensive programme will become evident in future years.