Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
1630 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that adequate compensation is paid to those who have been forced to put down ducks due to an outbreak of salmonella; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31984/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 23 April 2010 the Food Safety Authority of Ireland advised that it was investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT8 in humans that was linked to the consumption of duck eggs. Subsequent investigations revealed that nine individual flocks were infected.
Duck eggs are not covered under EU legislation on marketing standards or zoonosis and there is no scheme of compensation for producers whose duck egg flocks are Salmonella positive. Nevertheless, my Department met with representatives of the sector and, having regard to the difficulties being experienced as a result of this outbreak, agreed to a once-off ex-gratia contribution of €16 per duck for flockowners who voluntarily depopulated, subject to their agreeing to a new Code of Practice governing the industry and registering with the Department.
In addition, affected flock owners were required to ensure that replacement stock was sourced from salmonella-free flocks and that certain biosecurity and hygiene measures were put in place. Under EU Food Hygiene Regulations, responsibility for ensuring the safety of food being placed on the market rests with the producer.
1631 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32031/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra1635 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32058/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra1661 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33261/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1631, 1635 and 1661 together.
The person named applied for 64 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme and payment has issues in respect of 58 animals. Payment cannot be made for the remaining animals until the outstanding queries are satisfactorily dealt with, and my Department is awaiting a response from the applicant in relation to these queries.
1632 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32032/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named applied for 23 animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009.
Payment was made in March 2010 in respect of 8 of these animals. A number of queries arose on the remaining 15 animals during the validation process undertaken by my Department. A letter has issued to the applicant requesting clarification and a reply is awaited.
1633 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32039/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named applied for 24 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payments have already been issued to the applicant in respect of 23 animals. Payment for the remaining animal was recently approved by my Department and it will issue shortly.
1634 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32040/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named registered 19 beef breed calves in 2009. A number of queries regarding the animals were identified and correspondence issued to the person named. A response has been received recently and is currently being examined. Payment will issue shortly if all of the queries are resolved in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.
1636 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an appeal for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [32086/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of this Department's review of areas declared by applicants under the Single Payment Scheme, two ineligible areas (dwelling house and roadway) were identified and removed from the applications of the person named. This resulted in the eligible area of the parcel in question being reduced and over-payments posted for each of the application years concerned (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). While the person named was advised, in writing, of the finding and the monetary implications, to date, no appeal has been received in relation to this case.
