asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state, in connection with the beef cattle incentive scheme, whether payment is withheld in the case of animals subsequently found to be TB reactors and which were collected prior to payment being made; and, if so, if steps will be taken to ensure closer liaison between the two sections of his Department which are involved in order to obviate the difficulties which arise at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Cattle Incentive Scheme.
65.
The arrangement is that where a cow has been declared a reactor between the first and second official herd inspections and is promptly removed in accordance with my Department's requirements, the date of removal is accepted as the second inspection of that animal for the purposes of the beef cattle incentive scheme.
The arrangement applies to reactors under the bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes and is working satisfactorily.