Vol. 479 No. 2
317 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason farmers who have either had departmental herd tests or total private herd tests are being ordered to have a further test by his Department in spite of the fact that a full year has not elapsed since their last test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/97]
371 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern in relation to the costs imposed on farmers where tuberculosis or brucellosis tests are carried out before the normal round test; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the farming community understood that the herdowner would pay for the annual herd test and that any additional testing ordered by the district veterinary office would be paid for by his Department; the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that such additional costs are not imposed on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12858/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 371 together.
Under the revised arrangements for the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes which were introduced from 1 April 1996 following agreement with the representative farming bodies, responisibility for arranging and paying for the first herd test in each calendar year was devolved to farmers. My Department will pay for any subsequent herd testing including subsequent contiguous tests in the calendar year. All contiguous brucellosis testing in 1997 is being paid for by my Department.
In recognition of the fact that farmers would henceforth meet the cost of a significant part of the testing programme, the diseases levies were reduced by about two thirds from 1 April 1996.
