Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
155 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to scrapie and the delay in blood sampling which takes almost four weeks from the date the blood is taken until the farmer receives results; if there are plans to speed up this process in view of the loss incurred to the farmer due to the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17291/04]
View answerA total of 16 new flocks have been confirmed with scrapie in 2004 to date. Sheep in flocks in which scrapie is confirmed have, since 1 October 2003, been genotyped free of charge by my Department to determine their genetic susceptibility to scrapie and the more scrapie susceptible animals are slaughtered as required by EU legislation.
The central veterinary research laboratory is testing samples from scrapie infected flocks at present and although there have been some exceptions, the average turnaround time from receipt of samples to reporting of results has been 17 days.
The central veterinary laboratory has now completed the installation of a large automated workstation to cater for the anticipated increase in the number of samples for testing. I understand this equipment is now fully operational and will allow a significant increase in both the capacity and speed of service over the coming weeks.
156 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to scrapie and losses that occur on lambs (details supplied); if there are plans to amend the compensation scheme in order that the farmer is not out of pocket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17292/04]
View answerEU rules in relation to sheep flocks in which scrapie is confirmed require member states either to slaughter infected flocks in their entirety and prohibit re-stocking with sheep for three years from the date of slaughter, or alternatively to determine the susceptibility of the animals to scrapie by genotyping, and slaughter the more scrapie susceptible animals only.
A total of 16 new flocks have been confirmed with scrapie in 2004 to date. Sheep in flocks in which scrapie has been confirmed since 1st October, 2003 are genotyped free of charge by my Department to determine their genetic susceptibility to scrapie and the more scrapie susceptible animals are slaughtered as required by EU legislation.
The package for farmers whose flocks are affected includes free genotyping of the flock, genotyping of a limited number of replacement rams, payment of market value less salvage value for sheep required to be slaughtered which are fit for the food chain, payment of full market value for sheep which, by virtue of their genotype, are required to be destroyed and a supplementary payment of €28 per ewe required to be destroyed.
In so far as the market rate for lambs is concerned, I have already adjusted the package in this regard so that lambs sent for destruction are attracting a market rate equal to the average factory rate in the week of slaughter. I have no plans to further adjust the compensation package for the present.
