Vol. 530 No. 3
104 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans there are to include the poorer quality cows currently not accepted in the cull scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3530/01]
All cattle aged over 30 months, including cows, which have not been tested for BSE are eligible for the purchase for destruction scheme. To date approximately 19,000 cows have been slaughtered under the scheme. It is the intention to continue to take significant numbers of cows into the scheme. I have urged the beef processing industry to make the most effective possible use of the scheme so that its full benefits will be available to Irish farmers who wish to sell cows into the scheme over the coming months. I believe that the measures taken to date at EU and national level are very positive and continue to help to alleviate the impact of the current difficulties.
