Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2014
90. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of the upcoming budget if he will give consideration to increasing funding to compensate for losses incurred and income foregone under the national animal health TB, BVD and Johne's disease programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TB Eradication Scheme currently embodies a comprehensive range of measures for farmers who experience a disease breakdown, specifically, compensation for loss of reactors at market value, as well as other targeted income supports. The primary compensation measure available under the TB Eradication scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme. In 2013, my Department paid €10.5m to 3,376 herdowners under this Scheme. In addition, herdowners may also qualify for additional payments under the Income Supplement, Hardship or Depopulation Grant schemes subject to compliance with the criteria applying in each scheme. Grants of €1.5m were paid to 934 herdowners under this scheme in 2013. My Department also paid €0.2m Depopulation Grants to 24 herdowners and €0.475m Hardship Grants to 1100 herdowners in 2013.
The Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Eradication Programme currently embodies re-focused support arrangements for farmers faced with the removal of persistently infected (PI) calves from their herds. These measures provide for a €120 payment in respect of disposals of PI calves in suckler herds and payment of €75 towards the disposal of second and subsequent PI female calves born in dairy herds that are disposed of in a timely manner. Both measures are in respect of 2014 born calves and apply for one year only.
In the context of Johne’s Disease, my Department also provided significant additional funding towards the Animal Health Ireland’s Johne’s Disease Pilot Control Programme. One of the most important components of the programme is a veterinary on-farm risk assessment, the objective of which is to provide a framework for the herdowner and his/her nominated veterinary practitioner to identify any farm practices that might constitute a risk of introduction or spread of Johne’s Disease within the farm.
I am satisfied that the arrangements outlined above provide for appropriate compensation in the case of the various diseases and, given the current challenging budgetary situation, I do not foresee the availability of increased financial resources for the schemes.
