Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I am working on the assumption Animal Health Ireland is working on an all-island basis in regard to eradication, given the animal health status needs to be all-island based. There is a slightly different control regime in the UK. We have started a vaccination programme in the vaccination areas and this is being rolled out on badgers.

With regard to the length of time for removal, the valuation process needs to be as streamlined as possible. It is certainly an issue which has come up and I come from a county which has consistently had higher levels than the national average, although this is improving. In particular, there is an issue with the speed of paperwork following the identification of a reactor in order to remove the animal and allow the 60-day period to start. These are all very valid points.

The Senator's comments on the compensation process are very relevant. Blood samples are now taken through the interferon-gamma test, which is more sophisticated and has probably picked up extra reactors. In reality, that will wash through the system, with an improved herd health status in due course. From personal experience, I have seen it takes some three years for that to really wash through the system and show benefit at the end of the day.