asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total amount spent in media advertising for the ERAD campaign to date; if he will make a statement on the progress of the ERAD campaign to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - ERAD Campaign.
2.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the progress made to date in the ERAD campaign.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 16 together.
I am informed by the director of ERAD that the total expenditure committed to TV, radio and newspaper advertising to include both TB and brucellosis schemes in connection with the new ERAD structures is £298,000 plus VAT.
As regards progress on the new campaign, the director has informed me that although the present indications are that improved results are being achieved during the round of testing now in progress, the overall position is that the campaign is only in the initial stages of a four year programme and that it is, therefore, premature as yet to assess the results achieved. I have, however, asked the director to let me have a full report on the programme when the first full year of the campaign has been completed.
In the meantime, I want to express my thanks to all the interests concerned who have accepted my invitation to serve on the board of ERAD which I established in April 1988. I am confident that with guaranteed Exchequer funding of £31.6 million per annum over the four year programme and the co-operation of all the interests involved the board can reach the target of reducing the existing levels of TB by half during that period.
What is the VAT rate? Is it 25 per cent?
It is 25 per cent.
So that is an extra approximately £70,000 — well over £350,000?
Yes.
Is that a complaint?
I am just wondering. There have been no results as yet for £350,000 paid out by the taxpayer. In view of the scandalous funds——
I think that Deputy Mac Giolla does not understand how this works.
It is funny how ratchetty they all get in the farmers' area when you ask any question at all. I am asking a question in regard to well over £1.2 billion of taxpayers' money spent over the past two decades. In view of the enormous sums handed out to farmers on debts under the scheme——
Do not tempt me.
——does the Minister not agree that it is now time for a hard line to be taken? The advertisements are good. Does he not agree that in this four-year programme a hard line must be taken with those who do not conform and do not carry out the programme that is set out?
It was the enormous amount of money committed to this area over the years which prompted me to ensure that we would tackle this differently, first to provide constant and guaranteed funding over a four-year programme which has not been available in the past and which everybody will tell you was the cause of the breakdown from time to time. Secondly, I want to get all the interests involved responsible themselves for the eradication of these diseases so as to relieve the burden — and the Deputy is quite right — on the taxpayer, and indeed, to achieve effective results. Even after last year and before this programme was set up, when we did commit adequate resources the results were already encouraging. I am very confident that with the co-operation which is there now and the determined programme for heavy penalties if necessary, but also of control, we will get a positive response to this.
Deputy Davern has been offering.
Would Deputy Mac Giolla like to see TB increasing among cows? His party should understand the position. Did I understand from the Minister that he was giving an assurance that there will be no docking of the £4 million, as happened on the last occasion? I shall be very pleased if that is the case. Did he give an assurance that the full funding will continue, to ensure that the total scheme will be carried out and elimination of the diseases achieved by these methods? Will the Minister just repeat, please, his assurance that there will be full funding of this scheme?
That is an essential element of this programme, unlike what happened in previous years. Everybody recognised that there were cutbacks a few years ago which undermined the whole programme. An essential element of what we are doing now is providing a guarantee. Uniquely, because of its importance it is the only area in the whole public expenditure programme with precisely the same funding for four years. The farmers, who are the contributors by way of levies are also guaranteeing the same amount. Finally, if we succeed in working within the funds we are now guaranteeing, that the actual reimbursement to be made to the taxpayers and to the farmers will be in proportion to the amount that is saved.
Is the Minister satisfied with the severity of penalties presently in existence for those who abuse the regulations? If not, will he look for harsher penalties?
I am at present. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that now we have set up the executive management group, that it is a matter for them — however, I will bring this matter to their attention, to see to what extent the penalties are inadequate. If they make a recommendation that requires ministerial action, I will certainly act on it.
In view of the amount of money which is being committed to this programme, will there be a full round of testing this year?
Yes, absolutely. I am no longer directing the programme, and neither is any Minister, but I am absolutely assured that is the case.
Does the ERAD campaign include adequate compensation for reactors, particularly for dairy cows and weanlings in view of their market price at present?
I understand it does. There have been adjustments in the compensation payments, but again there are matters for the board to consider. The rate of payment and the period of payment are also matters for the board.
Because it is a joint effort on everybody's part, if Deputies have evidence of any delays or problems of that nature, they are quite welcome to refer them to my office. However, Deputies should be aware that it is important that the board have adequate and constant contact with the people directly concerned.
When will we have word on the levels of compensation payments for reactors?
I will ask the board to let the Deputy know directly when that will be put in place.
I am anxious to proceed to other questions and I am not going to dwell much longer on Question No. 2. I have allowed a series of supplementaries on this question. The House will not wish me to dwell unduly long on it to the detriment of all the other questions and the Members present anxiously awaiting replies.
Would the Minister not accept that there is a complete lack of detailed examination on the causes of the outbreaks — for example, an area which has been clear for five years suddenly has an outbreak in 3 per cent or 4 per cent of the herds and there is no detailed examination carried out to find the causes of the outbreak. Would the Minister not accept that we are not getting more up-to-date information today as to the cause of the outbreaks than we were when the scheme started 32 years ago?
Without going into too much detail, which would be inappropriate, I agree that perhaps we did not have adequate information over the years. I assure the Deputy also that the surveys being conducted at present are very comprehensive as to the causes of the outbreaks, and whether they be geographical, wildlife or whatever else. Wherever a ministerial order is required to give effect to recommendations dealing with wildlife or otherwise, I will take the necessary action. Again, I want to assure the Deputy that the surveys now being conducted are very comprehensive.
In view of the Minister's reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that the interests of some of the people involved may be served by the continuation of the scheme for another two decades because of the amount of Exchequer funding involved?