Vol. 416 No. 2
196 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether, in view of last year's ERAD report, he has any plans to overcome the socio-economic limitations which prevent the reduction and eventual eradication of bovine TB; if so, if he will give details of this plan to provide a timetable for its implementation.
197 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether he plans to follow the recommendations of last year's ERAD report; if so, the specific plans he would implement in a long term strategy to eliminate bovine TB; and if he will provide a timetable to their implementation.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
The current ERAD four year period is due to conclude this April and in line with the undertaking given in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress the position of the TB eradication scheme is being reviewed by a group consisting of the various interests involved.
This group have evaluated the operation of the scheme during the ERAD period and I hope will shortly determine, by consensus, the structure and scope of the programme for the next four years.
