Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised)

2:55 pm

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ferris for his comments and his party's support during the horse meat crisis. Sinn Féin was particularly helpful during that difficult period when it could have put the boot in politically and chose not to do so. Its approach was appreciated and I hope it is satisfied with the Department's efforts to keep it abreast of developments throughout the entire saga. Fortunately, the outcome of the crisis was satisfactory. Demand for Irish beef is stronger than ever, which indicates there has not been any lasting damage done to the beef sector. While there is a new attitude to cheap frozen beefburgers, these products account for only a small segment of the overall beef market.

The major saving in this area is in respect of the suckler cow welfare scheme which has come to an end. We have introduced a new suckler cow data sharing system. For this reason, the allocation has been reduced from almost €30 million to €10 million.

On the issue of BSE testing and compensation, the age of cows to be tested has been increased because we have succeeded in virtually eliminating BSE in Ireland. While the Estimate is slightly higher than it was last year, we expect to spend less than we did last year. Deputies should note that the Estimate is calculated on the basis of a worst case scenario.

In some of the other areas, expenditure may increase as a result of some of the extra testing we were required to carry out.

We did a great deal of DNA testing of beef products which we were not expecting to do on foot of the horsemeat crisis. It meant approximately €500,000 of expenditure which would otherwise not have been incurred. We had a team of people working on the issue for the guts of six weeks who would otherwise have been engaged on other tasks. The important message is that on almost all of the disease control programmes we have in place, we are seeing less expenditure now because we are seeing fewer instances of diseases. BVD is a slightly different issue as we are now rolling out a compulsory programme in that regard whereas the programme was voluntary last year. Certainly, there is less TB in our herds than we have had since records commenced being kept in 1953 or 1954. We still have some work to do to complete the job, but important progress has been made which deserves to be recognised. The significant figure which members will see for TB and brucellosis eradication has gone from €38 million to €37 million. Hopefully, we will spend less than the Estimate provides for.

While there appears to be a significant reduction relating to suckler cows, this year spending linked to the sector will increase. On top of the €10 million scheme, there is a further €10 million in spending linked to last year's suckler cow welfare scheme for calves born in the second half of the year. There will be a further €5 million in spending linked to the beef discussion group. We will spend approximately €25 million on the sector this year, whereas last year we spent only approximately €28 million. A great deal of public money continues to go to the suckler cow sector, which is necessary as it is a vulnerable one.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.