Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the departmental officials for coming before the committee. Mr. Ryan has said TB goes from cattle to cattle. Has the Department done any test whereby it puts five cattle with TB into a shed with 45 clean animals? Has it done scientific analysis and does it have proof that cattle spread it in this situation? When an animal is put down, the farmer goes to the factory. Is a scientific sample taken from each animal? Does it go to England or somewhere? Does it come back showing the animal did or did not have TB even if the animal was put down? If no TB is found, what steps are taken? Is the farmer clear?

The farm organisations expressed their dismay at the letter that went out earlier this year. They said it was a solo run. Is it in the spirit of partnership to go on a solo run in the way that was done earlier this year?

When an animal goes down, there is the option of three valuers. I have seen many instances lately where the Department refused the first figure, and when the second person priced the animal higher, the Department went back to the first figure. Why is the Department judge and executioner of the whole situation? Why are the appeals so slow?

Obviously the Department understands that small beef farmers and suckler farmers are struggling. They have off-farm jobs to keep a mortgage paid and to keep the family going. For whatever reason, when an animal goes down, they are not entitled to the hardship fund. Why is this? A small farm does not get a monstrous payment.

Mr. Ryan might have looked at this next point. I have seen herds go down where there was zero grazing and the gates would not let in badgers. Is it that manure from the badger is on the fresh grass? Is there a concern about this? Has the Department done analysis on this?