Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 1

Written Answers. - Herd Tests.

Brendan Smith

Question:

262 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the position regarding the cost to farmers of herd tests; whether costs should accrue to the herd owner if a herd test is necessitated by the suspected outbreak of disease on a neighbouring farm, particularly if this test is needed in less than 12 months from the herd owners previous tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4193/97]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Under the revised disease eradication arrangements which were introduced from 1 April 1996 payment for the first herd tests in each calendar year is generally the responsibility of herdowners. My Department will carry the costs of any second or subsequent herd test each year. It is in the interests of herdowners and of curtailing the spread of disease that testing should be carried out in the timescale notified to herdowners by DVOs.