Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is devastating for a farmer when his or her herd has to be partially or totally depopulated. We know that herds are built up over a considerable length of time. There is a big investment and big commitment by the individual farmer, and we do not switch on or off the breeding or development of herds. The current compensation levels do not reflect the reality of the prices paid in marts today. I appeal to the Minister to have the compensation levels for cattle that are depopulated due to tuberculosis, TB, revised upwards.

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