Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine the timescale for the implementation of a national bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30058/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An industry led BVD eradication programme is currently being developed by a BVD Implementation Group (BVDIG), the work of which is being facilitated by Animal Health Ireland (AHI). The Implementation Group comprises representatives of a number of industry stakeholders as well as my Department, with technical advice being provided by AHI. A voluntary programme is foreseen for 2012, with an intention that the programme will become compulsory in 2013.

The details of the programme have not yet been fully finalised, however the basis of the scheme is early sampling of young calves by the farmers themselves through the capture of a tissue sample using a 'tissue tag', submission of samples to a designated laboratory and the management of data arising through ICBF databases.

The recent unexpected development, where it was not possible to approve a tissue tag as an official identity tag for this forthcoming spring calving season was most disappointing for all stakeholders. However I am heartened by the resolve of the BVDIG to overcome this undoubted setback and their stated commitment to have a programme available for those that wish to participate in the voluntary programme in 2012. We must wait further announcements from the BVDIG.