Brendan Griffin
Question:163. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for his advice on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33179/23]
View answerWednesday, 5 July 2023
Questions (163)
Written answers
A herd number is an administrative device issued by my Department for the purposes of disease control. A herd number does not imply ownership of lands, ownership of any animals kept or tested under that herd number.
There are two roles associated with a herd number - herd owner and keeper.
I can confirm that an application was received from the person named to become the new keeper has been processed successfully by Kerry Regional Veterinary Office (RVO).
As regards a new herdowner role for the relevant herdnumber no application to change herd owner role has been received to date by Kerry RVO.
If a keeper, who is in the role of ‘herdowner’, dies, then the role of herdowner can only be assigned to another person, when all legal documentation, i.e., certified copies of the will and grant of probate, have been provided to my Department.
If probate is unavailable, a solicitor's letter, confirming same must accompany the will and a certified copy of probate must be forwarded to my Department when later granted.
Therefore, it is open to the personal representatives of a deceased herdowner, to register an interest in the herd by writing to my Department through their solicitor confirming that they are acting as representatives of the deceased and that probate or letters of administration are being taken out in favour of the applicant and indemnifying my Department against any damages or claims arising from the assignment of the herd number to their client.
If the applicant has further queries on the matter, they can contact the Kerry RVO.