Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation. I have same concerns about BVD but I would highlight the mastitis and cell count issue. The figures in the survey that was completed by Teagasc recently speak for themselves. If there are under 100,000 cells per millilitre, the usual net farm profit amounts to €31,000 compared to a net profit of €11,748 if the count is over 400,000. That is alarming. The target is to bring that to an average of 200,000 by 2020 but that is quite conservative. It is eight years away and quality milk production is crucial, particularly as we try to increase production. What part will Teagasc play? Cell count is a difficult issue to sort out, with culling at an aggressive rate one of the few solutions.