Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1147. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to BVD reactors in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17844/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the BVD eradication programme is an industry-led programme managed by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) under the guidance of a stakeholder Implementation Group.

I am aware of reports of recent cases in Limerick and Kerry and advise that these are BVD test positive cases and not reactors.

My Department provides a variety of extensive supports to the programme. Among these are financial supports to farmers in respect of BVD positive animals - as follows:

Dairy

€160 if the dairy female or dairy cross animal is removed within 10 days of positive or inconclusive BVD test. €30 if the dairy female or dairy cross animal is removed between day 11 and 21 of the first positive or inconclusive BVD test €30 if the dairy bull is removed within 14 days of the positive or inconclusive BVD test.

Beef

€ 220 if the animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive test. € 30 if the animal is removed between Day 11 & 21 of the first positive or inconclusive test.

Further financial support may also be available for severely affected farms,

The table below shows the counts of animals that had a BVD positive test result in Limerick and Kerry over the last 6-12 months.

The Deputy will be aware that the primary screening test is based on ear notch testing of all newly born calves.

The three week period is important and the rationale behind it is to allow transient infection to be resolved in the herd. This is in accordance with best evidence.