Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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872. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm.

The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings.

All animals valued by independent livestock valuers as part of the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme. In the case of female animals where the pregnancy status is uncertain the valuer is required to note an in-calf and not in-calf market value.

In slaughter plants, under my Department's supervision, veterinary staff carry out post mortem checks on all reactor cows and heifers and if applicable are given an “in-calf” value.

Where deemed appropriate by my Department, in consultation with the herdowner, animals not suitable for transport to the slaughter plant may be euthanised on the farm and removed directly to a knackery as happened with this animal. Post-mortem pregnancy checks are not carried out at a knackery. In such cases reactor animals will be paid at the not in-calf value. The difference between the in-calf price and the not in-calf price for this animal was €600.

In addition to the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme, my Department operates three supplementary compensation schemes that assist farmers with the indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on their farm

The Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where full Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.

The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown and that have more animals than the same period in the previous year. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1st and April 30th.

Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.