Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
884. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assistance available to farmers whose herds are locked up due to bovine tuberculosis being found in their herd; if it is intended to improve this assistance given the increase in the cost of maintaining stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39025/22]
View answerI am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts on farm families as a result of a TB breakdown. There are number of financial supports are available to farmers who experience a TB breakdown.
The main element is the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme which compensates eligible herd-owners up to the market value an individual animal would have attained on the open market at the time of breakdown.
The Department officials attend marts nationwide each week to collect sales data. This data is then used to produce a weekly list of "Summary Market Prices" which reflect the most up to date available market values for each category of animal.
In addition to the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme, there are further supplementary schemes that eligible herd owners can avail of; the Income Supplement Scheme, Hardship Grants and Depopulation Grants.
Income Supplement is payable where disease breakdown results in the removal of more than 10%of animals in a herd in the relevant restriction period. Dairy herds become eligible where at least 10% of the dairy cows are removed as reactors.
Hardship Grants are awarded to eligible herds to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred by farmers whose holdings are restricted on foot of a herd retest during the period 1st November to 30th April and where animals are retained and fed during periods of restriction.
Depopulation Grants may be paid to eligible herd owners whose herds are depopulated (totally or partially). Grants are paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those removed as reactors since the holding was restricted, on condition that the Herd owner agrees to the depopulation at the time specified by the Department.
As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from my Department and stakeholders has been set up to review the current financial model of the TB programme.
The financial model underpins the funding for all schemes and grants under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme. Discussions are advancing, and recommendations from the Finance Working Group will be put forward to the TB Forum for consideration.
