Ulick Burke
Ceist:361 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to remove the charges and fees for testing paid by farmers to vets back to his Department while the crisis exists in agriculture. [21944/98]
Written Answers. - Livestock Testing.
Under the revised arrangements for the TB and brucellosis schemes which were introduced from 1 April 1996, following agreement with the farming bodies, responsibility for arranging and paying for the first herd test each year is devolved to farmers. The fee payable to the veterinary practitioners by farmers for testing is a matter for negotiation between the parties concerned and my Department has no function in this.
In recognition that farmers would henceforth meet the cost of a significant part of the testing programme, the disease levies were reduced by about two thirds, also from April 1996. The levies were further reduced earlier this year to partially offset the cost of statutory pre-movement testing introduced as one of several measures to combat brucellosis.