James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

412. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the delays arising from initial animal tagging for TB and the tagged animals' subsequent removal. [40293/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2016 the average number of days for reactors to be removed was 27.9 days which is below the legal requirement of 30 days set down in EU legislation. My Department endeavours to have reactors removed from a holding as quickly as possible. However, there are many factors beyond the control of my Department which may delay the removal of reactors. These include delays on the part of the herdowner in accepting a valuation, the need to comply with EU regulations prohibiting the transport of animals in late stages of pregnancy or having recently calved, the medication of animals shortly before the skin test etc.  My Department does not believe that such delays constitute a risk to other animals in the herds because farmers are required by law to segregate reactors from the rest of the herd and to take other biosecurity precautions thereby mitigating the risk of the spread of disease.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

413. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commence compensation for loss of production from the date of tagging as opposed to the date of removal. [40294/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has a comprehensive compensation regime in place for herdowners who are affected by bovine TB, including compensation both for direct and indirect losses.

There is a legal requirement for reactors to be removed from the holding within 30 days as set down in EU legislation. Given the vital importance of early removal of reactors, one of the eligibility criteria for income supplement is linked to the date of removal of reactors. This operates as an incentive for herdowners to engage with the valuation and removal process.

There have been significant changes to the compensation package which were implemented in 2016 and I am satisfied that the current compensation arrangements provide a very comprehensive range of financial supports to herdowners in a TB breakdown.