Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the general issue of food safety and animal health in programme one, it is probably not widely recognised that this constitutes the key activity of the Department in terms of resources and personnel. Because there is so much at stake in the context of our international reputation, we are constantly engaged in supervision and inspections to ensure that we continue to operate at the highest standards in terms of animal welfare and food safety. I am satisfied that we have adequate resources available. I commend all of the staff involved because the Department, the agrifood sector and farmers engaged in husbandry on a daily basis all have a vested interest in ensuring our international reputation is maintained at the highest possible level. As a food island that exports more than 90% of what we produce, we need to be able to stand over that. In respect of our commitment to excellence all along the food chain in terms of food safety and animal welfare, these are issues where the marketplace is increasingly demanding that we have a fully transparent system of the highest standards.

In response to Deputy Cahill, there is an increase in the allocation for fallen animals in 2018. I know the report in the newspapers to which the Deputy refers. The detail of that coverage made reference to Storm Emma and animals, particularly sheep, still being identified as casualties of that. I acknowledge there were issues around that which have given rise to increased numbers of fallen animals. It has been a difficult winter. There is no point in saying otherwise and it is certainly dragging on now. The Department is acutely aware of grass growth and is tracking it almost on a daily basis and looking at forecasts. As we head towards 1 April, I accept there are many farmers who are anxiously awaiting a growth spurt in grass. However, there is an issue around the individual responsibility of farmers and the level of stocking density, particularly in the dairy sector where we have very rapid expansion. Each farmer needs to take account of their own responsibilities in terms of making sure they have adequate fodder provision. What I suspect is the case is that whatever shoulder or head room that was there over the past winter in terms of carryover of fodder from previous years will have been virtually exhausted in this late spring. This puts a clear obligation on individual farmers to make sure in the coming months that they do not replenish just an adequate level of fodder. We are looking at variations of how extensive a winter can be but on average, we have four to five months of winter. We need to make sure there is adequate fodder and some head room to take account of exceptional weather events. The headlong rush to increase numbers, particularly in the dairy sector, probably has been at the expense of some of that capacity to provide additional fodder on farms. Individual farmers need to take stock of this.

It strikes me that while we all celebrate increased dairy output, we should not lose track of individual responsibility to ensure adequate fodder provision on farms. We have been through the debate on fodder schemes, transport subsidies and so forth and Deputies have their views on a ration subsidy. The ultimate responsibility rests with individual farmers. In exceptional circumstances, the State will make some efforts in this area, as it has done this year. Individual farmers need to be cognisant of the carrying capacity on their holding, taking account of the level of fodder they require. I am sure Deputy Jackie Cahill, as an active farmer, will acknowledge that in some instances the rapid expansion in numbers has been at the expense of the capacity to provide adequate fodder for exceptional weather events such as those we have been experiencing recently.

On tuberculosis, I understand the number of cases has started to plateau but I will revert to the Deputy with detailed figures. Subject to correction, it is my recollection that where there has been a decline in herd incidence as a result of the increasing average herd size. While there may have been an increase in the number of animals affected, the number of herds affected has not increased. I have just been provided with some information on the incidence of tuberculosis. In 2017, a total of 2,180 herds were affected.