Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Ironically, we are asking farmers to do a little bit more here, but it is not necessarily a bad thing to do. Disease is often spread by wind borne spores or else by wild animals. For example, the badger culling programme, which nobody likes but is very necessary in my view, has produced significant results in reducing the incidence of TB in Irish herds. They have not taken a similar approach in the UK, and they have had much more difficulty in reducing TB levels in British herds. There is clear evidence to suggest that wildlife can spread diseases. We had a recent incidence of this in respect of bird flu. There is also evidence on wind borne diseases.

If we were to introduce this amendment, it would reinforce the idea that we change the word "necessary" to "reasonable", as per amendment No. 1. If we are asking farmers to take account of the spread of disease through wildlife when they are putting up fencing or housing, I do not think we can be unreasonable to them if a badger gets through the gap and people can make a connection between that and a TB reactor in the herd. I do not think people should be taken to court for that, but we should be encouraging farmers to think about the spread of disease in its fullest sense, such as through wind borne diseases or wild animals.

I would like to look at this amendment and try to improve it a bit. I hope the Senator will not take offence to that. I told my officials that I think this is a useful suggestion, but I am not sure about the actual legal terminology used. I cannot accept the amendment as it is, because I would not want to have to delete it on Report Stage. I would, however, like to accept the spirit of the amendment. As with amendment No. 1, would Senator Ó Domhnaill be happy for me to have a look at it and come back with a proposal on Report Stage? The Senator may also table the amendment again on Report Stage. If I do not accept it then he may press the amendment at that stage if he wishes. If he gives me a chance to have a look at the proposal I will try to incorporate the spirit of what he proposes into the section. His proposal is a useful addition. I would like to talk to some of the farming organisations to make sure that what we are putting in is reasonable.