Olwyn Enright
Ceist:44 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the projected cost for the tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 May 2004
Ceisteanna (46)
Freagraí scríofa
The numbers of reactors for both TB and brucellosis have been falling consistently over the last five years. The number of TB reactors has fallen from circa 45,000 in 1999 to 29,978 in 2003 while for brucellosis the number of laboratory positive animals has fallen from 4,545 in 1999 to 900 in 2003. As a consequence the overall expenditure on the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes has also been falling. A sum of €63.88 million has been provided for the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes in the 2004 Estimates. While this represents a reduction compared with expenditure in 2003, it is expected it will be sufficient to cover the costs associated with continued full implementation of the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes.