Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding national bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24711/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A voluntary phase of a national bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme commenced in January 2012. The programme is designed with an initial focus on identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals with particular emphasis on testing of calves for the BVD virus using tissue samples collected by ear punch. The programme will become compulsory in 2013.

In compliance with the programme guidelines, particularly in relation to the non-sale of PI animals and the speedy disposal of infected animals, the Department is providing financial assistance by way of a one off €100 welfare payment for any suckler cow whose offspring is removed under the Programme and a €15 contribution towards the knackery cost of disposal of PI calves payable directly to the knackery.

Details regarding the €100 welfare payment are available from the Department's BVD Compensation Section in Portlaoise and details relating to the €15 calf subsidy are available from the Department's Fallen Animal Section in Wexford. Further details on the programme are available on the Department's website: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/bovineviraldiarrhoeabvd.