Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Dairy Sector

11:00 pm

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 729: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the main aspects of the dairy herd improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14297/07]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 749: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will set up a dairy herd improvement scheme which would help promote the health of dairy cows, whole herds and, ultimately, the national herd; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14507/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 749 together.

There is a range of non-regulated diseases and conditions which impact on animal health, animal welfare and productivity while a number of them also have the potential to affect public health. For these reasons, the Department has had discussions in recent months with relevant stakeholders on the principle of introducing industry-led arrangements to tackle these non-regulated diseases and conditions in a substantive and coordinated way.

The stakeholders generally accept that action needs to be progressed and there is also broad acceptance that this can be achieved where all key players are willing to work together towards a common vision. In this regard both the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan and the Partnership agreement contain provisions on the development of industry led initiatives to further improve animal health and that particular attention will be paid to dairy farms.

As the discussions are still on-going final decisions have not yet been made on the detailed arrangements for this initiative. However, it is envisaged that the various stakeholders will play a key role in the delivery of the programme and that activities will be funded by the relevant parties including the State.

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