Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grants or subsidies are available to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is the legal responsibility of animal keepers/farmers to dispose of any fallen stock on farm by using the Fallen Animal Disposal System.  Notification should be made to an approved animal collector promptly so that arrangements can be made for collection as soon as possible.

The TSE (Fallen Animal) Subsidy Scheme ensures primarily that fallen bovine animals over 48 months, which must be BSE-tested in accordance with EU legislation, are disposed of promptly to facilitate testing in compliance with animal and public health and environmental regulations.  The scheme pays €30 to the animal collector as a subsidy towards the cost of collection and disposal of over-48 month bovines. The balance of the cost – up to a cap of €55 – is paid by the farmer to the animal collector.

No subsidy is paid to the animal collector for the collection of sheep, or for younger bovines, and their collection is a matter for commercial arrangement between the farmer and the animal collector.

The Scheme is an integral part of the infrastructure underpinning Ireland’s successful livestock and meat processing industries, which had an estimated combined export value of almost €3 billion in 2017.