James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

709. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a delay in the payment of compensation to farmers who have reactors; if so, for the length of time; when payment will be made, if this has been communicated to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65460/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The continued increase in bTB disease levels in recent years has resulted in significant additional work in the administration of the bTB programme for the Department. There has recently been an increase in the volume of bTB compensation payments that resulted in a temporary backlog in payments. This backlog has now been cleared and outstanding compensation payments are issuing to Herdowners this week.

We need to decrease bTB disease levels to ensure that the impact this disease has on farm families both financially and emotionally is lessened.

On 9th September I published the “Bovine TB Action Plan, Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland”

There are 5 measures in the Plan which are underpinned by 30 actions:

• Support herds free of bTB to remain free
• Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
• Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
• Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
• Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB