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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Jul 1983

Vol. 344 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reactor Cattle.

23.

asked the Minister for Agriculture (i) the number of reactor cattle slaughtered in Irish meat factories in 1982; (ii) the individual numbers of bullocks, heifers, cows and bulls slaughtered therein; (iii) the individual numbers for each meat plant; (iv) the factory payments for all reactors; and (v) the payments made by his Department for reactor compensation.

24.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the grave farmer dissatisfaction with the system of disposal of reactor cattle in factories and especially with the factory payments for these reactors; and if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that the farmers receive the maximum payments for the various categories of slaughtered reactor cattle.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.

The number of reactor cattle slaughtered in meat factories in 1982 was 41,100 animals comprising 25,995 cows and incalf heifers and 15,105 other cattle. I am not at liberty to give details of slaughterings at each meat plant as this information relates to the commercial operations of individual companies. Information on factory payments for all reactors is not available to my Department but reactor compensation payments by the Department totalled £5.78 million.

The present system of disposal of reactor cattle has been in operations since 1976 and allows herd owners to make arrangements, to their own best advantage, for the sale of their infected cattle. As to the prices paid by factories for reactor animals, these are essentially determined in an open-market situation over which I have no control. In addition to receiving the value of the reactor animals from the factories, herd owners can of course qualify for generous reactor grants from my Department.

Did I hear the Minister use the word "generous"?

Generous.

I thought Santa Claus was coming.

Is the Minister satisfied with the system of disposal of reactor animals at factories and has he any plans to improve matters? It is a serious matter because of the disease eradication problem.

I am aware there is a serious problem.

I have asked the Minister if he is aware of a serious breakdown in supervision between the time the reactors are identified and their disposal in the factories. Has he any plans for the improvement of the system in view of the implications?

I have been talking to the Animal Health Committee. The Deputy will be aware that in his area steps have been initiated whereby diseased animals are collected by the co-op and delivered straight into the factories.

Can the Minister tell us what criteria are used for the payment of the various grades of reactors killed in factories? In an earlier reply the Minister said that payment for reactors depends on the local market situation and that the Department have not got control over it. I submit it is the Department who have control over the implementation of the regulations. Surely, therefore, the Department would have control over factory prices? Will the Minister accept that because of lack of proper supervision at factories farmers who put in animals not even showing TB lesions, perhaps worth £600, are being paid in the region of £150 or £200? Can the Minister justify this position?

I am not aware of that type of problem. From my own experience and that of my neighbours, farmers can very quickly find out who will pay the best prices. We have increased the grant aid substantially for reactors.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

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