Vol. 451 No. 8
237 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will make a statement regarding the ability of his Department to eradicate bovine TB; the cost to the PAYE taxpayer of overpayment of grants to farmers by his Department; the defects highlighted in the Beef Tribunal Report; and if he has satisfied himself that his Department can control and monitor EU payments to beef processing factories. [7321/95]
The incidence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Ireland is at a low level — over 99 per cent of the 7 million animals in the national herd are clear of this disease. The remaining incidence is residual infection. At low levels, progress in achieving further reduction in infection is inevitably slow. I am continuing to place emphasis on improving the efficiency of the programme including the refocussing of resources towards research designed to overcome technical problems and so accelerate progress towards full eradication.
Recoupment of any overpayments of grants is sought by my Department and, where appropriate, involves deductions from future grant payments.
The Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry was the subject of a debate in Dáil Éireann on 1 to 3 September 1994. The report states that "the Tribunal is satisfied that the Department of Agriculture has addressed the problems disclosed" in evidence adduced before the Tribunal. I am also satisfied with the arrangements being operated by my Department to control EU payments to beef processing plants.
