Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the issuing of a temporary waiver in the implementation of the fallen animal charges scheme to allow for animals to be culled in light of the increased numbers over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46002/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The disposal of fallen animals is subject to the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. Under this Regulation, animals which die on-farm must generally be disposed of through approved intermediate plants (knackeries) and rendering plants.

Following the termination of the original Fallen Animals Scheme in April 2009, my Department has continued, within the boundaries of legal requirements, to make every effort to facilitate measures to maximise flexibility and enable reduction in the costs associated with the disposal of fallen animals. This includes allowing cross border trade, permitting direct delivery by farmers to authorised plants and encouraging indigenous use of meat and bone meal (MBM) for energy purposes. Approval conditions have been drawn up to facilitate the collection of fallen animals direct from farms by approved rendering plants, including arrangements to provide for TSE testing of these animals where required. Discussions are also continuing between the Department and farmer and hunt representatives, to consider the feasibility of extending the network of plants authorised to act as knackeries.

Under the current TSE Subsidy Scheme my Department pays towards the cost of collection and rendering of each over 48 month bovine and it is intended that a subsidy for this category of animal will remain in place. There are no plans to extend the subsidy to other categories of bovines or other animals. Keepers pay a maximum contribution of €54.03 to animal collectors for picking up over 48 month bovines from their holdings to facilitate their testing for BSE.

Proposals have been made that money be provided to facilitate humane slaughter of malnourished and unwanted horses. I am not convinced that this is the appropriate approach to what is, undoubtedly, a problem area at present. I am concerned that such an initiative would not necessarily result in the slaughter of the target population i.e. those horses that are most vulnerable. I am also concerned about the reputational damage that might be caused to the Irish bloodstock industry by a State-supported targeted slaughter initiative, given what I consider to be the strong likelihood of an adverse reaction both at home and overseas.