Vol. 475 No. 5
190 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will make a top-up payment to sheep farmers to compensate them for the shortfall in their incomes due to the reducation of £6.60 per ewe in EU direct support to the 1996 ewe premium scheme. [5331/97]
The level of the ewe premium scheme in any year is determined by the average prices paid in the EU market for that year. During 1996, both the EU and Irish market prices for lamb were at record levels from March onwards, due to buoyant consumer demand. Irish lamb producers who sold their lambs in 1996, benefited from prices about 21 per cent better than those available in the previous year. The premium is related to market returns and so in a year of good prices the amount paid is lower than that available when the market is poor. The significantly improved market returns in 1996 had a consequential benefit on the income of sheep producers.
191 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has for the development of the young farmer installation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5402/97]
This matter is being considered in the context of the mid-term review of Structural Funds.
192 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give details of the increase in incidence of brucellosis in 1996, compared with 1995; the number of herds restricted; and the number of herds depopulated; the additional eradication costs in 1996 over 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5403/97]
As outlined in my reply to the Deputy on 13 February 1997 the number of brucellosis herd restrictions has increased significantly in the past year. At the end of 1996, some 313 herds were restricted including some herds which had had two or more clear tests but which had not been derestricted under national legislation. This compares with 189 herds restricted at the end of 1995. In 1996 174 herds were depopulated due to brucellosis.
Expenditure on reactor grants, income supplement payments and depopulation grants under the brucellosis eradication scheme was some £1.57 million higher in 1996 than in 1995, an increase of 30 per cent.
Discussions on the actions to be taken to redress the deteriorating situation are currently taking place with representatives of the farming bodies and the veterinary groups and I hope to be in a position to finalise proposals in the near future.
193 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether contiguous herd owners should have to pay for tuberculosis and brucellosis tests outside of the normal round test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5405/97]
Under the revised disease eradication arrangements which were introduced from 1 April 1996 following agreement with the representative farming bodies, herdowners are generally responsible for arranging and paying their veterinary practitioners in respect of first herd tests each year. However, in the case of brucellosis the Department will pay for all contiguous tests in 1997 even if such tests are the first tests in the herds. With some exceptions the Department meets all subsequent herd testing costs including costs of any contiguous tests.
In recognition of the fact that farmers would henceforth meet the cost of a significant part of the testing programme, the disease levies were reduced by about two-thirds from 1 April 1996.
