Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when compensation payments will be increased in respect of the depopulation of animals and herds due to TB; if particular provision will be made to pay proper compensation to owners of pedigree animals to reflect their market value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52958/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am acutely aware of the stress for the farmer that comes from a TB breakdown especially in breeding herds where herdowners may have spent many years building up their herd through careful and selective breeding. The bloodlines pedigree farmers have developed over many generations has taken skill, determination and attention to detail.

Making significant progress in reducing TB incidence rates remains a key priority of mine. The current 12 month rolling herd incidence is 4.11%, which whilst still too high is moving downwards.

The main compensation provision of the bovine TB programme is the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme which compensates eligible herd-owners up to the market value an individual animal would have attained on the open market at the time of its valuation under the scheme.

The valuations are carried out by independent valuers who are informed by 'Summary Market Prices' which reflect the most up to date market values for various categories sold on the open market.

Compensation rates for TB reactor animals are capped under the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and are outlined in the TB Compensation Arrangements Booklet provided to farmers.

In addition to the On Farm Market Valuation compensation package, Income Supplement, Depopulation Grants and Hardship Grants may be paid to eligible herd-owners. Depopulation grants may be paid to herd-owners whose herds are depopulated (totally or partially). The grant is paid per animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those removed as reactors since the holding was restricted, on condition that the herd-owner agrees to the depopulation at the time specified by my Department.

As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from the Department and the farming organisations was established some time ago to review the current financial model of the TB programme. Their remit includes a review of compensation schemes with respect to all types of bovine herds. The financial model underpins the funding for all schemes and grants under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme. Discussions are advancing, and recommendations from the Finance Working Group will be put forward to the TB Forum for consideration.

I will examine the findings of this report closely and report back to the Deputy.