Vol. 543 No. 5
212 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the action he will take in respect of farmers who have not been paid for animals compulsorily slaughtered by a processor (details supplied) designated by his Department; and his views on whether he has a moral responsibility for the fact that the farmers in question are now without their money facing into the winter. [27474/01]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the slaughter of reactor animals under my Department's disease eradication schemes.
The procedure for disposing of reactor animals operates on the basis that meat factories tender on a weekly basis for the slaughter of these animals and the district veterinary office selects the meat factories which are most financially beneficial in the prices that they offer for different types of animals.
The compensation for reactor animals comprises: the salvage value of the animal, which is paid by the factory directly to the farmer and a reactor grant, or valuation less the salvage value, paid to the farmer by my Department.
At all times the ownership of the reactor animal continues to reside with the farmer and therefore the contract for the salvage value is a matter between the farmer and the meat factory involved. My Department's responsibility is to ensure the secure removal of the animal to slaughter and to pay the appropriate compensation.
In the circumstances where a factory goes out of business, such as has happened in the case in question, the recovery of any monies due to losses incurred by farmers is a matter for resolution between themselves and the company's liquidators.
