Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 608 of 12 April 2005, if she will implement the recommendations contained in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19696/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A group under the chairmanship of Dr. Crosby carried out a technical examination of costs arising following restocking with a particular category of sheep in the case of flock-owners where the depopulation occurred during the initial scrapie depopulation regime. In total, 100 flocks were depopulated under this phase and restocking was not permitted for a period of two years. Flock owners received compensation for the capital value of the sheep and for income loss for that period. In addition, those who restocked in the third year also received compensation for income loss for that year.

The terms of the agreement and amounts of compensation and income loss involved were clearly understood and accepted by all concerned at the time of depopulation. While this agreement did not contain any commitment to pay further compensation in respect of later years, a technical group was established to examine the estimated potential additional costs arising in subsequent years if flock owners restocked with a particular category of sheep. That group completed the technical work involved and its report, as well as other aspects of this restocking, is still under consideration.