John Ellis
Question:270 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the saving to his Department since the changes in tuberculosis testing regulations in 1995. [4429/97]
Written Answers. - Bovine Tubercullosis Testing.
Under the revised disease eradication arrangements which were introduced on 1 April, 1996 herdowners generally pay their veterinary practitioners in respect of first herd tests each year. In the first full year of operation, this should result in a reduction of about £14 million in expenditure by the Department on testing costs. In recognition of this, the amount collected under the diseases levy arrangements will reduce by about £18 million per annum. Thus, there has not yet been any net saving to the Department under the new arrangements.