Mr. Pat Farrell:

I will give an example of what it has cost farmers. My neighbour has gone down with 110 animals since March in four tests. He had one test in March, a blood test in May, a second test in July and another in September. He is getting there, and currently only two of his animals are gone. He operated a closed herd and never had TB. Following an investigation, the Department thinks badgers are the cause, but we are still not sure. That farmer is down €20,000 a month in his milk cheque, but he only gets €5,000 from the Department. That is just an example of what is going on in everyday farming life. Everyone seems to be paid out of the TB programme, including departmental staff and vets. Farmers do not want to be paid for their labour, but it is not even recognised.