Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to review the National Genotyping Programme; her views on extending the provisions of the scheme, including the payment of compensation, to rams that were genotyped prior to 1 September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23597/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The enhancements introduced under the National Genotyping Programme in 2005 only applied to sheep genotyped between 1 September 2005 and 18 November 2005. The enhancements included the payment of a flat rate of compensation in respect of any ram which, when tested, was found to be in one of the categories which are susceptible or highly susceptible to scrapie, provided that such rams were slaughtered on or before 30 November 2005. I have consistently emphasised that compensation payments would be made only in respect of animals genotyped during the qualifying period and, consequently, the issue of making compensation payments in respect of rams genotyped prior to September 2005 does not arise.

On 15 March 2006, I announced further measures worth up to €1.5 million to encourage greater participation in the National Genotyping Programme (NGP). The initiative involves the payment by the Department of a contribution towards laboratory testing costs (€12 per test for male and female animals genotyped) and the payment of compensation for rams tested on or after 1 January 2006 and found to be susceptible or most susceptible to scrapie. Rams qualifying for compensation must be removed for slaughter on or before 1 September 2006 and the total amount of compensation payable to any one claimant in 2006 is capped at €1,200.