Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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959. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a more enhanced tuberculosis compensation plan to reflect current market realities in view of the fact that the compensation plan has not been revised in many years. [46883/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The primary compensation scheme for farmers whose herds are affected by TB is the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme. Under these arrangements, compensation is payable for cattle removed as reactors. This compensation is based on the market value of the animal i.e. the price that might reasonably have been obtained for it, from a purchaser on the open market if the animal had not been affected by TB. My Department also administers supplementary grant schemes - Depopulation, Hardship and Income Supplement - to compensate farmers for indirect losses arising from a TB breakdown. I understand that Ireland is the only country in the EU where farmers receive compensation for indirect losses associated with a TB breakdown.

In 2016, my Department following consultation with the Farming Bodies revised the eligibility criteria and rates payable under the Depopulation, Hardship and Income Supplement schemes. These changes resulted in substantial increases to the total amount of compensation paid to farmers under these “supplementary” grant schemes. For the Compensation On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme, financial limits were also raised to €3,000 for a bovine, to €4,000 for a Stock Bull, and to €5,000 for a Pedigree Stock Bull.

The Department issues weekly market prices to be used by all valuers carrying out valuations under the Compensation Scheme. These prices are collected from a representative selection of marts from around the country. I am satisfied that the summary prices produced on this weekly basis provides a fair reflection to both the farmer and to the Department (State) of the market value for bovine animals.

Officials from my Department are scheduled to meet the representative bodies in the coming weeks to discuss any concerns with the current compensation scheme.