John Ellis
Ceist:1 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on the concerns of farmers recently expressed at public meetings regarding his proposal to abolish the pre-movement test for bovine TB. [4766/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine TB Eradication Scheme.
John Browne
Ceist:7 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to have all marts identify the TB status of each animal going through the sales ring on implementation of the new TB testing regime and to require all cattle sellers to be identified publicly at marts in the interest of buyers knowing the sources of livestock which have not been pretested. [4557/96]
Seán Doherty
Ceist:41 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the relevant organisations, if any, who have signed up in support of his new TB eradication scheme. [4684/96]
Noel Dempsey
Ceist:48 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of tests carried out on adjoining farms as a result of detention of reactors in pre-movement tests; and the number of reactors discovered in these subsequent tests. [4672/96]
Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:54 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the extent of lateral spread of bovine tuberculosis; the significance of the spread and research into the phenomenon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4695/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 7, 41, 48 and 54 together.
The removal of the compulsory requirement that cattle must be pre-movement tested for TB within two months of movement has to be seen as part of the development of additional responsibility to farmers in protecting their own herds under the new arrangements. Herdowners can continue to test cattle prior to movement, while those buying cattle can insist on purchasing animals which have been pre-movement tested and/or can have cattle tested after purchase. The new arrangements include measures which will encourage farmers to arrange pre and possibly post movement tests of cattle on a voluntary basis. The practical arrangements for identifying the status of pre-movement tested cattle at marts is the subject of ongoing discussions with the mart organisations.
The availability of higher reactor compensation and market forces will provide an adequate incentive to carry out pre-movement testing, as deemed appropriate.
The Deputy should be aware that compulsory pre-movement testing has operated since October 1978, while the disease incidence has not fallen since then.
The four main farming organisations — the IFA, ICMSA, ICOS and Macra na Féirme — have indicated their agreement, in principle, to the new arrangements for the disease eradication schemes and to participate in the national TB Forum. There are a number of specific issues outstanding which will be dealt with by the forum which I am establishing to advise, review and make recommendations on the operation of the new arrangements. Discussions are continuing with the Irish Veterinary Union.
The information requested regarding the results of tests in herds contiguous to privately tested herds which disclosed reactors is not readily available. As I already indicated in a reply to a previous question, this information is being extracted and will be conveyed to the Deputy as soon as possible.
It is not possible to quantify precisely the percentage of bovine TB outbreaks that are due to transmission of disease from cattle in neighbouring herds. While most serious bovine TB outbreaks occur in herds which are contiguous to other restricted herds, a number of different sources of infection could give rise to this pattern. Research in this area would indicate that disease transmission from neighbouring herds by lateral spread may be of the order of 23-25 per cent.
Since the Minister has now admitted that henceforth farmers will be forced to undertake a pre-movement or post-purchase test — whichever classification one likes to apply — to comply with his proposed regulations, has he any estimate of their future extra costs in providing their own herd tests?
To clarify the position, the change will not be compulsory. Through the TB Forum, we intend to pay a higher rate of reactor grant and compensation to those farmers who undertake pre-movement testing, the levels of that higher compensation will be determined by the TB Forum which has yet to meet.
It is estimated that the previous annual cost of pre-movement testing was of the order of £4 million, so it will cost a good deal less than that.
What will be the cost to farmers of paying for their own annual herd tests?
Between TB and brucellosis, the estimated annual cost will be of the order of £14 million.
Therefore, the Minister is now confirming to the House that farmers will be expected to incur an extra £14 million on their annual herd testing. While I know the Minister will say there will be savings on levies they would otherwise have to pay, will he agree that smaller farmers will suffer most since they rarely sell anything other than store cattle, especially in the west?
The best estimate I have is that the levies will be reduced by £18 million and that the cost of the annual test will be £14 million, entailing a saving of £4 million. This year we will pay for the tags, which will involve a saving for farmers of £2.5 million in addition to which there will be savings on pre-movement testing. I assure farmers that one of the key elements of the change is that all the levies they will pay will be reimbursed to them, all of it for compensation.
We must move on to the next question.
As the Minister took five questions together, a number of which deal with statistics, we are entitled to more time to deal with them.
Regardless of that, Deputy, the overriding position is that there are five questions nominated for priority to be dealt with within 20 minutes.
The Minister mentioned the proposed TB Forum. Will he state its membership and representative content? In addition, he mentioned that this year there will be a saving to farmers of £2.5 million through the provision of tags. In future years — when they will have to pay the full price — what will be the cost to them and has he received suppliers' commitment that prices will not be increased?
On the matter of numbers of reactors identified, how many reactors were found in herds which had been identified as reactor herds resulting from pre-movement testing?
In relation to the latter, I think the figure is that, out of some 57,000 herds, fewer than 500 per annum were identified, taking one year with another.
Five hundred animals?
Five hundred herds were restricted because of pre-movement tests.
How many animals were subsequently identified within those herds resulting from a second full herd test?
I have the exact figures here. The pre-movement tests identified 952 reactors in 463 herds in 1995.
How many reactors were subsequently identified in those herds resulting from a full herd test having to be undertaken?
I do not have that information to hand.
Will the Minister convey that information to me?
I will endeavour to do so.
(Wexford): In relation to Question No. 7 I want to protest most strongly that the Minister——
The Deputy will have to protest in another way since time is very limited in Question Time.
(Wexford): This is typical of the Minister when he does not want to answer a specific question.
The Deputy will know that we must proceed. I regret I cannot call him at this point. I may only call the Deputy in whose name the Priority Question is tabled.
I assure Deputy Browne there was no intention not to answer his question.
(Wexford): The Minister has not answered the question.
I envisage there will be special sales with such certification.