Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 January 2014
287. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the increase of 33% in the price of having dead sheep brought to rendering plants; the reason for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2067/14]
View answerThe TSE (Fallen Animal) Subsidy Scheme is an essential part of the infrastructure underpinning Ireland’s successful livestock and meat processing industries, which had an estimated combined export value of almost €3 billion in 2012. The Scheme ensures primarily that fallen bovine animals over 48 months, which must be BSE-tested in accordance with EU legislation, are disposed of in compliance with all animal and public health and environmental regulations. The Scheme also allows for a payment to animal collectors for a certain number of sheep and goats over 18 months that are tested for Scrapie.
The number of sheep and goats to be tested for Scrapie varies from year to year and a payment of €5 is made to animal collectors for the sheep and goats that are prepared on the knackery premises by the collectors for sampling, provided the samples yield a conclusive result.
The operation of the Subsidy Scheme has been examined in my Department and a number of changes have been introduced, with effect from 30 November 2013, in relation to fallen bovines over 48 months. It is important to note however that the rates payable to animal collectors for the preparation of sheep and goats for Scrapie testing under the Scheme have not changed and the subsidy remains at €5.
Bovines under 48 months and all sheep and goats (with the exception of the €5 payment detailed above), are outside the remit of the Subsidy Scheme, and their collection and rendering is a matter for commercial arrangement.
