Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

62 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will announce the revised depopulation grants scheme which was promised in September 2000; if he will include on-farm evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28247/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, PPF, provides for the introduction of an on-farm market valuation system and that the arrangements, including the detailed operational arrangements, are to be finalised with the farming organisations. The proposed operational date was 1 September 2000.

Numerous meetings have since taken place between senior officials of my Department and the farming bodies on the detailed arrangements for the introduction of the new system. Given the complexity and broad range of the issues involved, it has not been possible to conclude these negotiations to date. However, further meetings will be held in order to bring the matter to a conclusion.

It is intended that the full package of measures, which will have the objective of reducing current levels of and ultimately eradicating Brucellosis and TB from the national herd, will be finalised at a meeting of the animal health forum in the near future. In addition to the on-farm valuation scheme, there are other issues under discussion such as movement controls, the deployment of increased staff on badger removal work together with additional research on these diseases.