Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the cost of disposing of fallen animals; what he is doing to enable a reduction in costs in view of the suspension of the fallen animal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20406/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's contribution to the fallen animals scheme ceased with effect from Tuesday, 14 April 2009 as a result of budgetary constraints and in reflection of the greatly reduced incidence of BSE in this country. However, I provided continued financial support for the collection of certain dead animals, notably bovines over 48 months of age, for sampling as required under the ongoing national BSE surveillance programme.

The disposal of dead farm animals is subject to EU regulations, notably EC Regulation No. 1774 of 2002. These regulations require that animals which die on-farm must generally be disposed of through approved knackeries and rendering plants. With the ending of the fallen animals scheme the cost of collection and rendering for animals not covered by the new scheme is now a matter for negotiation between the individual collectors or rendering plants and their customers.

Within the boundaries of legal requirements, my Department is making every effort to facilitate measures enabling reduction of costs in the rendering and collection system, such as allowing cross-Border trade, permitting direct delivery by farmers to authorised plants, considering removal of some costs currently built into the rendering process and encouraging indigenous use of meat and bone meal for energy. Farmers may continue to use the existing collection network or, alternatively, may transport dead animals by prior arrangement to approved knackeries provided the carcasses are transported in leak-proof covered containers or vehicles. Burial of fallen animals is only permissible under licence in remote areas, that is, islands and listed mountain or bogland areas. Farmers who wish to bury animals on-farm should apply to their local district veterinary offices for burial licences. It is also a legal requirement on all keepers of bovine animals to notify my Department of movements of all live or dead bovines off their holdings.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Does the Minister acknowledge that approximately 243,000 on-farm deaths of animals occurred in 2007 in addition to approximately 30,000 still births? Does he also acknowledge that the suspension of this scheme will result in an increase in on-farm burials without prior notification and potential environmental hazards?

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There is an onus on farmers to notify the Department of the death of an animal. I do not have figures of on-farm deaths for 2007 but the equivalent figure for 2008 was 298,000, which varies significantly from the figure given by the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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On a point of order, it indicates a significant year-on-year increase.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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We have entered discussions on the scheme with all farming bodies. I have met representatives from each of the three main organisations at least once and my officials have met them on a number of occasions. They agree that the costs had to be taken out of the system. The scheme was introduced to deal with the severe difficulties we were experiencing in respect of BSE and it was never intended to put it on a permanent basis. Significant amounts of taxpayer funding has been spent on it and, thankfully, the incidence of disease in this country has reduced dramatically. I commend the officials in my Department and the farming community on achieving our current high level of disease prevention.

The costs were excessive and had to be reduced. They already have been reduced substantially. We have facilitated some companies in getting licences to supply product to Northern Ireland and I hope for further engagement with collectors, knackeries and renderers with a view to making prices competitive.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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In regard to reducing the price differential between the Six Counties and the Republic, what is the nature of the consultation between the Minister and his Department and the knackeries and rendering plants? The difference in prices are significant at present and even if the scheme is abolished it will remain high when one looks at the various monthly bandings. Between new born and three months, the differential can be as high as €13.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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We all know that competition generally has the effect of reducing prices. It has already had an effect even with a limited amount of product going North of the Border. We have also issued draft proposals to the renderers regarding the possibility of collecting carcasses directly. If they are in a position to collect, we will be able to allow individual farmers to bring products to renderers as well as to knackeries. That increased level of competition will bring about price reductions. The farming community generally recognises that the cost for the State was prohibitive.