Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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949. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the cost-benefit analysis of Ireland’s bovine TB programme is due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23734/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A Cost Benefit Analysis of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme was commissioned by the Department in 2020 following consultation with farm organisations in drafting the Terms of Reference.

The first draft report, prepared by Grant Thornton, was circulated to all members of the TB Forum on Friday 26th March 2020. The draft findings were presented at the second meeting of the Finance Working Group set up under the TB Forum on 15th April.

A constructive discussion took place in relation to these findings and Grant Thornton will take account of this feedback in preparing the next draft. It is envisaged that the amended draft will be discussed at the Finance Working Group before the final report is published in the coming months.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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950. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a compensation scheme for a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is continuing to engage with the Poultry Working Group (PWG) regarding its proposal for establishing a disease aid fund for the poultry sector. My officials met again with the PWG at the end of April and have proposed dates for further meetings with the PWG in May and June. The PWG is working hard on behalf of the sector and has been very pro-active in engaging with my Department on this matter.

I fully understand the sector’s aim to seek mitigation, insofar as is possible, of the disease risks that their members face. I would like to highlight that some excellent supports are already in place for a number of important diseases for the sector, including High Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Salmonella.

My officials continue to examine the additional measures that could potentially be utilised within the EU State Aid Regulations, to establish a funding support system for the sector in the face of poultry disease challenges.

The importance of improving biosecurity at farm level to prevent disease outbreaks in the first place cannot be overlooked. The Department has made available, at no cost to the poultry producer, biosecurity risk assessments, which are delivered by Animal Health Ireland trained veterinary practitioners, for commercial broiler and layer units. The set of recommendations provided guides the producer on how to improve the standard of biosecurity on the farm and reduce the likelihood of disease incursion. “Prevention is better than cure” is a cornerstone of Animal Health Policy.

The Department has also expressed its support in principle for the establishment of a health programme for the poultry sector operated by Animal Health Ireland. This would operate in partnership with the poultry sector and has excellent potential to improve the overall health of the national flock, as well as the standard of biosecurity on farms, thus reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.