Austin Deasy
Question:17 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline his Department's present strategy to reduce the incidence of bovine TB; and whether future disease eradication programmes will receive EC funding.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine TB Eradication.
Patrick McCartan
Question:39 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the discussions which he has had with the Irish Veterinary Union regarding the proposed new disease eradication scheme to be backed by EC funds; if he intends to have further meetings; when he expects the scheme to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 39 together.
I have been informed by the director of ERAD that the comprehensive strategy to eradicate bovine TB will be continued in 1991. The main elements of the 1991 programme as part of the overall strategy for bovine TB eradication are: full round of testing, blackspots to receive particular attention, continuance of research, veterinary surgeons on contract, TB advisory service, badger removal and reactor grants review.
Agreement has been reached with the EC Commission regarding the provision of funding for the programme over the next three years. The conditions stipulated by the EC Commission in regard to drawdown of EC funding for Ireland's bovine TB eradication programme are currently under discussion with the Irish Veterinary Union. The 1991 programme will commence when these discussions are finalised.
May I ask the Minister if he believes he is going to get the full co-operation of the veterinary unions?
Certainly discussions that are progressing at the moment are leading to that hopeful conclusion. There are some complex issues, as the Deputy will remember from his time as Minister, but I am confident that we can reach a successful conclusion.
Would the Minister care to comment on the statement at the weekend by the President of the Irish Veterinary Association that the Department are seriously under-staffed where veterinary surgeons are concerned, and even at the height of the problem with the BSE disease they were one-third short of their full capacity?
The staffing and funding of this programme is now being conducted at a level that was not previously the case, and there is no basis for that comment.