Vol. 517 No. 3
6 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if costs arising from on-farm certification, associated with the beef assurance scheme, will be levied against farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9650/00]
I welcome the opportunity to clarify the situation regarding the costs arising from certification of farms under the national beef assurance scheme. The Government decision which authorised the drafting of the National Beef Assurance Bill specifically provided that the costs of complying with the conditions of the scheme should be borne by participants and such a provision was included in the Bill. The legislation was introduced in July 1999 and each Stage was debated extensively. There was considerable discussion and consultation with farming and other organisations over a period and, therefore, the purpose and elements of the scheme were well known in advance.
As regards the inspection and certification arrangements for farms, it is not my intention to impose expensive and bureaucratic procedures on participants. It has always been my intention that the farm inspections required under the scheme should be carried out at the time of the annual herd test in order to minimise costs and inconvenience for farmers. The specific and detailed arrangements for inspections will be finalised through negotiation with the interested parties. In the coming weeks my officials will recommence discussions with farming and veterinary organisations in order to reach agreement on a practical, workable, credible and least costly inspection procedure. There will be ample opportunity to arrive at a sensible and fair system of inspection which will not create an unacceptable burden for farmers.
I emphasise that the State is already making, and will continue to make, a substantial contribution to the cost of the national beef assurance scheme. In the past three years, for example, the Exchequer has invested more than £16 million in the cattle identification and tracing system which is an integral part of the scheme. A further £12.3 million will be spent this year on providing ear tags and cattle passports to farmers and in maintaining and improving the computer system. This will bring total Exchequer spending on beef assurance to more than £28 million in four years. The central requirement is a credible and effective beef assurance scheme which will protect the reputation of the product and give consumers the assurances they require.
Will the Minister clarify whether there will be a cost for farmers for on-farm inspections?
The Government operates on a partnership basis and we have been in negotiations with farming organisations and veterinary authorities in connection with this scheme. These negotiations are at a very advanced stage and we hope to reach a consensus within the next few weeks—
Will there be a cost?
—on the details of how the inspections will be carried out and any costs involved.
So there will be a cost. This is disgraceful conduct by the Government. During Report Stage of the Bill, the Minister of State said he agreed with my amendment that the certification should be written and the inspections held at the time of the annual TB and brucellosis test. The Minister of State and the Minister said this was a good idea. The Minister of State also said that he conceded on cost. Anyone with reasonable intelligence—
A question please, Deputy.
Is the Minister disowning his Minister of State or have we reached the stage where this House is being devalued? As far as the Oireachtas is concerned what happens on Report Stage—
A question please, Deputy.
The Minister has gone against the Minister of State's words. On that occasion I thanked the Minister of State on behalf of Fine Gael and his backbenchers also thanked him. Farmers should not have to pay for the beef assurance scheme because they did not look for it. In so far as Independent Members are concerned, given the Minister's reply—
The Deputy has asked his questions and has received much latitude. I call on the Minister to reply.
I hope that Members will be given an opportunity to vote on this because the Minister has let farmers down.
The Dáil has been misled.
The intention is that the cost will be the absolute minimum. The vast majority of farmers—
What did the Minister of State say?
Please allow the Minister to reply.
The vast majority of farmers already measure up to the standards. Through the Exchequer, taxpayers are contributing. I concur with the Minister of State, the House and the Deputy that costs should be the minimum.
The Minister knows there should not be a cost. We will have another national strike. This is outrageous.
Please Deputy.
The contribution is a considerable amount of money and there will be a further £12.3 million this year from the Exchequer.
This is outrageous. They did not look for that and the Minister knows it.
The most important fact is that we have a credible industry which exports to 60 countries world-wide.
This is outrageous.
The Deputy must resume his seat. There must be order when questions are being answered.
Assurances are needed and the farmers will most benefit from those assurances.
The farmers will tell the Minister what they think when they vote.
