Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1595: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will support a matter (details supplied). [30581/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There is a large number of AHCS forms and it is not clear which forms the Deputy has in mind. In any event, such forms can be rejected for a variety of reasons unrelated to fraud and my Department does not maintain records of the number of forms rejected in the 28 District Veterinary Offices throughout the country.

There is no evidence of widescale corruption by farmers in relation to TB testing. My Department has a firm policy of prosecuting any illegal activity and payment of compensation in respect of a disease outbreak is withheld from, or paid at a reduced rate to, farmers who are in breach of relevant legislation or who attempt to defraud the Department.

My Department has always been aware of the risk of fraud in the context of the TB test and has strong and effective quality control measures in place to minimise this risk, These include Veterinary Inspectors from the local DVO carrying out yearly unannounced field inspections of tests being carried out by each private veterinary practitioner, post test evaluation of reactor animals on farms and follow-up supplementary testing and evaluation of herds selected on a risk basis. Breaches of the tuberculin testing procedures, where identified, trigger a range of remedial actions and/or sanctions, up to and including the initiation of proceedings in respect of fraudulent behaviour or professional misconduct.

In view of the foregoing, I am satisfied that there is not widescale corruption by farmers in relation To the TB test and I would ask the Deputy to provide any evidence of illegal practices to my Department.