Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Bovine Disease Controls.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

62 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on, and if he is in agreement with, the recent move by the meat factories to impose a levy on farmers of ?20.29 per animal for BSE testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9072/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Under EU requirements, all cattle over 30 months of age intended for human consumption as well as fallen and casualty animal over 24 months of age must be rapid tested for BSE. As of 14 February 2003, part of the cost of testing all male animals over 30 months of age and female animals over 30 months born on or after 1 January 2000 was transferred to the industry.

It is for each meat processing plant to determine how it addresses its cost base, including the cost of BSE testing and I have no function in regulating whether the meat factories absorb the net testing costs or pass them on to farmers.

For the present, my Department continues to carry a sizeable proportion of the costs relating to BSE testing. These include the full costs of testing fallen and casualty animals over 24 months of age, female animals over 30 months of age born prior to 1 January 2000 and the cohorts of BSE positive animals. My Department also pays for the costs of sampling equipment and the transport of samples from knackeries. Part co-funding of BSE testing will continue to be provided by the EU.

Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 23.