Written Answers Nos. 557 - 576
557. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application under the agri-environment options scheme 3 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23653/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 20 November 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome very shortly. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
558. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an outstanding agri environment option scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23679/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €785.66 and €4,713.89 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was also selected for a ground inspection which took place on 26 November 2012. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted in relation to the Traditional Hay Meadow action which resulted in a penalty being imposed. The person named was informed of the nature of the penalty and the appeal option. As no appeal has been received, the application has been processed for payment on the basis of the inspection findings and payment (net of penalty) in respect of 2012 will issue shortly.
559. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will sanction the payment of a herd test for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/13]
View answerA notification (ER5) issued to the herdowner concerned on 26 February 2013 requesting him to have a contiguous herd test completed by 3 April 2013. The test was not completed by this date nor has it been completed to date. Accordingly, an Overdue C letter issued on 8 April 2013 and, in accordance with normal practice, his herd was automatically suspended. The herdowner made first point of contact with his District Veterinary Office (DVO) on 8 May 2013 when it received an undated note stating that “it was the Department’s turn to pay”. On the same date, the DVO wrote to the herdowner informing him that the test was overdue by almost 5 weeks and explaining that he had already been notified that, in line with the standard policy, the “Department pay” test would change to a “farmer pay” test if the test was not completed within the timeframe specified in the ER5. I am satisfied that the herdowner in question was given adequate notice of the consequences of failure to carry out the test by the due date.
560. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ask his Department to engage with a fisherman who proposes to extend his interest in a fishery (details supplied) in County Donegal and if he will communicate directly with the person about this matter. [23693/13]
View answerRegulation (EU) No 227/2013 of 13 March 2013 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 introduced a relaxation of the restrictions on the use of Gillnets in Area VIa. Article 1 introduces an addendum to 850/98, Article 29 (d)(6) which permits catching Lesser Spotted Dogfish in Gillnets greater than 90mm, provided that:
(a) they are only deployed within 3 nautical miles of the coastline and for a maximum of 10 days per calendar month;
(b) the maximum length of gillnet deployed is 1000 metres;
(c) the maximum soak time is 24 hours; and
(d) at least 70 % of the catch is made up of lesser spotted dogfish.
Article 1 also introduces Article 29(d) 5 which allows a derogation to permit fishing in the east of Area VIa (commonly known as the French line), where catch composition is less than 5% cod or whiting using gillnets greater than 120mm subject to the following:
(a) they are only deployed in the area south of 59° N;
(b) the maximum length of gillnet deployed is 20 km per vessel;
(c) the maximum soak time is 24 hours; and
(d) no more than 5 % of the catch is made up of whiting and cod.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) were asked for their views on a new entrants for a scheme for these gill net fisheries. The FIF requested that days at sea be made available to vessels under 15m who wish to fish within the terms of Council Regulation 227/2013, Article 1 amending, Article 29 (d) 5 outlined above, nets greater than 120mm targeting species other than whiting or cod. However the FIF did not recommend a new entrant scheme for vessels over 10m in relation to Council Regulation 227/2013 Article 1 amending, Article 29 (d) 6, in relation to the Lesser Spotted Dogfish fishery. Having considered the proposals, I have decided to advertise a new entrant scheme based on the FIF recommendation. Applications for this scheme are currently open and the application process was advertised in the Irish Independent on 17 May 2013; further details are available on the Department’s website. Accordingly, the named individual may apply to fish using nets of 120mm targeting whitefish other than whiting or cod as part of a new entrant scheme currently advertised.
561. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23710/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €771.28 in respect of 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was also selected for a ground inspection which took place on 13 November 2012. During this inspection, issues of non compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted in relation the Riparian Margin action, which resulted in a penalty being imposed.
A letter issued to the person named informing her of this penalty and giving her the option to appeal the decision. The person named submitted an appeal to my Department and the original decision was overturned. Full payment totalling €3,397.48 has now issued to the person named in respect of the 2012 scheme year – 75% payment issued on 22 April 2013 and the balancing 25% payment issued on 23 April 2013.
562. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23723/13]
View answerFurther to the Government’s decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and this Department have worked to examine the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets. This examination included the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of a number of issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights. The overall analysis on the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights has been finalised. In line with my recent commitment, the Steering Group has reported to the two Ministers. The Ministers are now considering this report and expect to give it to Government shortly for their consideration.
563. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason no payment in relation to a disadvantaged area scheme issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23726/13]
View answerThe person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted by the requirement that their holdings must have achieved a minimum stocking density in 2011 of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. While the person named was been informed of the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee, to date, this option has not been availed of.
564. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte will provide land for a car park (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23729/13]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as land transactions, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has advised that a request in relation to the details provided by the Deputy had been conveyed to the company some weeks ago. I understand that the company has requested that the school involved contact the company directly to discuss the matter.
565. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23736/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 4 December 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome very shortly. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
566. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that milk commodities are now returning double figures on the world market than in May 2012, his views on the fact that the processors are not passing on the price increases to the milk suppliers; if he has met with milk processors to discuss same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/13]
View answerThe price paid for milk is a commercial matter between milk producers and their purchasers, and is determined by a combination of the international market for dairy products, the product mix of the dairy processor and the efficiency of processing. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine I do not have a role in setting prices. However, as most processors in Ireland are co-operatives, dairy farmer members are represented at Board level in those organisations. Dairy markets are performing strongly at present, and processors have announced an increase in their milk price in recent weeks.
While market volatility means there will always be short term fluctuations in dairy prices, the medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good. Growth in global population and wealth is forecast to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. Against that background, I believe that prospects and opportunities for the dairy sector will expand significantly over the coming years.
567. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to supports being provided by his Department to farmers who are afflicted by the fodder crisis, the supports that his Department is providing to farmers who operate small holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23793/13]
View answerI announced on 10 May an extension of the imported fodder transport scheme for a further two weeks and the doubling of the fund to €2m. Following consultation with Met Eireann, Co Ops, the farming organisations, Teagasc and the advice of officials working on the ground, the decision was taken to allow a further two weeks for fodder to be imported into the country with a doubling of the transport subsidy fund. Fodder, eligible under the scheme and delivered into the country will be covered up to next Friday 24 May. I have also decided, as an exceptional measure, that any definite purchases that have been placed by that date, but which will be delivered during the following week, will be included under the scheme.
To date some 2,000 loads of imported fodder, amounting to about 30,000 tonnes, have benefited from my Department’s contribution to these transport costs. My Department will continue to monitor the situation on a day by day basis. This remains a very challenging situation for farmers and the extension to 24 May will allow both farmers and Co Ops to have some certainty around the supply of fodder over the coming weeks. It is also important that while continuing to focus on the emergency fodder position in the short term, farmers should also focus on growing and conserving fodder for next winter’s needs. We should be maximising production in the coming period and I have asked Teagasc to prioritise this policy in their advisory campaigns over the summer months.
It is clear that the main cut of silage will be delayed this year and as a consequence we need to look at the potential for the growing of additional fodder later into the season. In this regard I have also raised a number of specific issues within the Nitrates regulations with my colleague Minister Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to ensuring we maximise the opportunity for fodder production this year.
The Animal Welfare Hotline which I established remains open for those with emergency situations or who need information about where to source fodder: 1850 21 19 90 (Low-call). The majority of calls received are enquiring about fodder availability and these callers are being referred to Co-ops in their respective areas. Those farmers with animal welfare issues (i.e. animals starving) are being referred to the DVOs where there are systems in place to deal with them on a case by case basis. Further information on the scheme is available from the Department website. http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/fodderassistanceapril2013/.
568. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of May 2013, if he will update Dáil Éireann on BIM's engagement with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/13]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to requests for assistance from mussel growers in Lough Foyle. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) continues to provide ongoing assistance to Irish mussel growers by examining opportunities for cross-border funding, by facilitating seed surveys to locate suitable beds and by developing a fishing plan for a seed fishery in a number of East Coast Natura 2000 sites. As BIM is an independent statutory body and the Deputy has requested details concerning specific operational matters, I have asked BIM to provide further details directly to the Deputy.
569. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the minimum stocking rates for the 2013 disadvantaged area scheme in view of the adverse weather conditions and the fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23806/13]
View answerI am particularly conscious of the difficulties facing farmers, prompted by the prolonged period of adverse weather, which has cumulated in severe fodder shortages in many areas. In response, I have introduced a specific Scheme, the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, designed to assist towards the transport costs of imported fodder and maintenance of stocking levels. The situation has prompted action by the wider industry and farm bodies, which is very welcome. In keeping the situation under constant review, I decided, given the ongoing shortages in some areas, to extend the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme to 24 May and to double the funding available to €2 million. Simultaneously, my Department’s Emergency Welfare System continues to respond to individual emergency situations. The scheme will cover any definite purchases that have been placed by that date but which will not be delivered until the following week.
Mindful of ongoing difficulties, I also decided that a formal request should again be made to the EU Commission seeking agreement to pay an advance from 16 October of the 2013 Single Farm Payment which, being the first day of the new EU financial year is the earliest potential payment date and almost two months ahead of the standard timeline. It will be recalled that my successful approach to Commissioner Ciolos for agreement to making an advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment was prompted by the very wet weather experienced throughout last summer.
With specific regard to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the 2013 Scheme, as already announced, is focussed on the protection of the smaller and most disadvantaged. It must also be borne in mind that the minimum stocking density requirement is equivalent to one ewe per eligible forage hectare and cannot in any way be regarded as onerous. It will be recalled that, in response to budgetary realities, it was decided to re-focus the Scheme, with greater consideration been given to those contributing most to achieving the aims of the Scheme, which are:
- Ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a viable rural society;
- Maintaining the countryside;
- Maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which, in particular, take account of environmental protection requirements.
Given the restrictions faced by those farming in recognised Disadvantaged Areas and mindful of the aims of the Scheme, as outlined, it will be readily appreciated that appropriate stocking levels are crucial. In this regard, balance must be struck between the need to ensure that at least the minimum is done to ensure the land is adequately utilised and grazed, while at the same time being sufficiently aware of the natural constraints. In this regard, it is clear that the minimum stocking levels currently set under the Scheme achieve this twin objective. Thus, the terms of the 2013 Scheme remain as previously announced. Farmers with genuine fodder-related stocking difficulties may avail of the force majeure provisions of the Scheme.
570. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline in tabular form, the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed individually by each Minister and Minister of State and Secretary General in his Department, for each year in the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/13]
View answerThe total travel and subsistence expenses claimed by each Minister, Minister of State and Secretary General in my Department for each year from 1 January 2005 to 9 March 2011 is set out in the table. The figures do not include air fares purchased on their behalf by the Department but include transport and hotel accommodation relating to official business within Ireland and abroad.
|
Minister/Minister of State |
Year |
Travel & Subsistence Expenses claimed |
|
Mary Coughlan Minister (1/1/2005 – 6 /5/2008) |
2005 |
€9,857.14 |
|
2006 |
€14,437.37 |
|
|
2007 |
€24,752.61 |
|
|
2008 |
€7,634.29 |
|
|
Brendan Smith Minister (7/5/2008-9/3/2011) |
2008 |
€2,003.91 |
|
2009 |
€2,252.75 |
|
|
2010 |
€4,545.73 |
|
|
2011 |
Nil |
|
|
Brendan Smith Minister of State (1/1/2005-12/7/2007) |
2005 |
€39,233.23 |
|
2006 |
€40,036.32 |
|
|
2007 |
€12,091.43 |
|
|
Minister of State/Secretary General |
Year |
Travel & Subsistence Expenses claimed |
|
John Browne Minister of State (1/1/2005-12/5/2008) |
2005 |
€43,055.02 |
|
2006 |
€7,247.37 |
|
|
2007 |
€21,646.24 |
|
|
2008 |
€19,734.13 |
|
|
Mary Wallace Minister of State (29/5/2006-7/5/2008) |
2006 |
€40,819.52 |
|
2007 |
€48,718.44 |
|
|
2008 |
€17,083.88 |
|
Minister of State |
Year |
Travel and Subsistence Expenses claimed |
|
Trevor Sargent Minister of State (26/6/2007-23/3/2010 ) |
2007 |
€9,694.87 |
|
2008 |
€20,949.76 |
|
|
2009 |
€12,233.66 |
|
|
2010 |
€2,901.58 |
|
|
Tony Killeen Minister of State (7/5/2008-22/3/2010) |
2008
|
€22,900.16 |
|
2009 |
€33,801.57 |
|
|
2010 |
€7,370.77 |
|
|
Sean Connick Minister of State (23/2/2010-9/3/2011) |
2010 |
€19,277.32 |
|
2011 |
€2,470.31 |
|
|
Tom Moran Secretary General (1/1/2005-9/3/2011) |
2005 |
€10,056.16 |
|
2006 |
€7,564.55 |
|
|
2007 |
€8,936.86 |
|
|
2008 |
€7,915.64 |
|
|
2009 |
€5,319.13 |
|
|
2010 |
€6,882.84 |
|
|
2011 |
€1,417.50 |
571. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline in tabular form, the number of staff appointed by each Minister and Minister of State in his Department or constituency office and their relevant costs including travel and subsistence, in each year for the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23825/13]
View answerThe number of staff appointed by each Minister and Minister of State in my Department or in constituency offices and their relevant costs including travel and subsistence, in each year for the period 2005 to March 2011 is set out in the table.
|
Minister |
Year |
Number of staff Appointed |
Staff Salary Related Costs - € |
Staff Travel & Subsistence Expenses - €
|
|
Mary Coughlan Minister ( 1/1/2005 – 6 /5/2008) |
2005 |
4 |
196,562.12 |
4,312.39 |
|
2006 |
4 |
253,828.29 |
6,037.48 |
|
|
2007 |
4 |
299,675.21 |
9,683.39 |
|
|
2008 |
4 |
113,884.61 |
6,712.34 |
|
|
Brendan Smith Minister (7/5/2008-9/3/2011) |
2008 |
4 |
211,417.86 |
4,026.06 |
|
2009 |
3 |
245,558.72 |
230.96 |
|
|
2010 |
4 |
343,068.57 |
2,023.39 |
|
|
2011 |
3 |
69,340.53 |
Nil |
|
Minister of State |
Year |
Number of staff Appointed |
Staff Salary Related Costs - €
|
Staff Travel & Subsistence Expenses - €
|
|
Brendan Smith Minister of State (1/1/2005-12/7/2007) |
2005 |
2 |
95,963.94 |
2,189.84 |
|
2006 |
2 |
98,431.44 |
2,189.97 |
|
|
2007 |
2 |
56,318.20 |
1,024.60 |
|
|
John Browne Minister of State (1/1/2005-12/5/2008) |
2005 |
3 |
112,454.31 |
15,248.41 |
|
2006 |
3 |
22,577.10 |
1,514.96 |
|
|
2007 |
4 |
73,572.24 |
5,012.50 |
|
|
2008 |
4 |
97,281.12 |
4,311.91 |
|
|
Mary Wallace Minister of State (29/5/2006-7/5/2008) |
2006 |
3 |
65,318.26 |
Nil |
|
2007 |
5 |
151,572.86 |
Nil |
|
|
2008 |
5 |
78,973.71 |
Nil |
|
Minister of State |
Year |
Number of staff Appointed |
Staff Salary Related Costs - € |
Staff Travel & Subsistence Expenses - € |
|
Trevor Sargent Minister of State (26/6/2007-23/3/2010 ) |
2007 |
4 |
71,997.44 |
2,136.12 |
|
2008 |
6 |
271,152.37 |
6,011.91 |
|
|
2009 |
5 |
273,633.83 |
610.62 |
|
|
2010 |
4 |
89,471.23 |
960.99 |
|
|
Tony Killeen Minister of State (7/5/2008-22/3/2010) |
2008
|
2 |
58,224.59 |
Nil |
|
2009 |
2 |
102,758.30 |
Nil |
|
|
2010 |
2 |
26,360.59 |
Nil |
|
|
Sean Connick Minister of State (23/2/2010-9/3/2011) |
2010 |
4 |
93,586.20 |
1,322.81 |
|
2011 |
4 |
72,193.23 |
Nil |
573. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding outstanding forestry grants in respect of a person (detailssupplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23875/13]
View answerA claim form for the second instalment of the establishment grant (Form 3) issued to the applicant in April 2009 but the Forest Service has no record of receiving the completed form. A reminder letter issued to the applicant in April 2012. A replacement Form 3 has now been forwarded to the applicant by the Forest Service. In 2010, the sixth annual premium was paid to the applicant and it is Forest Service policy not to pay further annual premiums beyond the sixth until the second instalment of the establishment grant has been paid.
574. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment option scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23876/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €833.31 and €4,999.96 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During the checking process in respect of the 2012 scheme year, issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow actions. My Department is now finalising the application of the person named and payment in respect of the 2012 scheme year will issue shortly.
575. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment under the beef technology scheme has not issued to a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23892/13]
View answerThe person named was a participant of the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme. Participants were required to attend a prescribed number of discussion group meetings or approved national events, in addition to completing two Tasks, chosen from a menu of eight, designed to enhance on-farm efficiency. The broad range of available Task options allowed participants to choose those best suited to the business needs and particular characteristics of their beef enterprises.
The person named did not qualify for payment because he failed to satisfactorily complete one of two selected Tasks – the task related to the completion of a herd health plan in consultation with a veterinary practitioner. Participants who chose that task were required to join the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme, a condition of which was that herd owners had to submit tissue samples from all calves born on their holdings in 2012 to one of a number of designated laboratories. Task completion was verified by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) which maintains a database of laboratory results on behalf of Animal Health Ireland. Information received from ICBF indicated that the herd owner in question did not sample any animal born in 2012. While the calves born in 2012 were BVD-tested in January 2013, this does not meet the Task requirement for the 2012 Programme.
It is the responsibility of participants and their facilitators to familiarise themselves with the Programme Terms and Conditions. In applying for the BTAP, farmers undertook to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Programme and accepted that failure to abide by the rules could result in a loss of payment.
576. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in the beef technology scheme in 2012; the number that have been paid for 2012; the number that have not been paid; the reasons they have not been paid; the number rejected on the basis of not carrying out the BVD test in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23893/13]
View answerUnder Food Harvest 2020, ambitious development targets were set for a number of agricultural sectors, including the beef sector. In this context, €5m of Exchequer funding was made available in 2012 for the establishment of a Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) to encourage the adoption of best management practice on beef farms.
In order to qualify for the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme, applicants were required to have satisfied one of the following criteria:
- Farmers with suckler cows must be current participants in the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme (AWRBS), that is, they must have received payments under the Scheme on 2010 born calves and have applied to participate in ICBF HerdPlus prior to applying for the Programme.
- Beef farmers without a suckler herd must have applied to participate in ICBF HerdPlus prior to applying for the Programme. Any farmer finishing animals to slaughter must have applied for membership of the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme (BQAS) before the application date for this Programme and must be a member of the scheme by 31 October 2012. He/she must also have finished a minimum of 15 cattle to slaughter in 2011.
Nationally, 5,685 applicants satisfied the entry requirements, In addition to the entry criteria, however, applicants were also required to attend a minimum of five Discussion group meetings/approved National Events, and successfully complete two Tasks, selected from a menu of eight Tasks. Eligibility for payment required that participants be confirmed as having attended the required minimum number of meetings and to have completed their chosen two Tasks; to date a total of 4,809 participants have been paid. All unpaid cases are being reviewed and, where eligibility is confirmed, payment will issue; those confirmed as unsuccessful will be advised accordingly, in writing. In common with all Schemes/Programmes operated by my Department, those who are found to be unsuccessful will be afforded the right of appeal.
Regarding Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) testing, this activity arises in the context of one of the tasks related to the completion of a herd health plan in consultation with a veterinary practitioner. Participants who chose that task were required to join the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme, a condition of which was that herd owners had to submit tissue samples from all calves born on their holdings in 2012 to one of a number of designated laboratories. Task completion was verified by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) which maintains a database of laboratory results on behalf of Animal Health Ireland. Information received from ICBF indicated that 66 participants did not sample any animal born in 2012 and thereby failed the Task.
