Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of animals tested from meat processing plants for scrapie in 2007; the cost of the testing of these animals; the percentage of the total flock slaughtered in meat plants which were tested; the fees collected by meat processors in 2007 for scrapie testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3813/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The overall number of sheep from meat plants that were TSE rapid tested in 2007 was 26,958 which represented 0.99% of the total number of sheep presented for slaughter. The costs incurred by my Department for testing these sheep amounted to € 933,887.12, inclusive of 21 per cent VAT.

Any fees collected by the factories in respect of scrapie testing is a commercial matter between the processor and the farmer and for which I do not have any responsibility.