Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
700. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis for compensation levels regarding bovine viral diarrhoea; when current compensation levels were set; when they were last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16598/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently provides a variety of extensive financial supports to the Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) national eradication programme to herd owners who disclose BVD positive or inconclusive test results in beef and dairy herds. In addition, my Department also provides supports for adversely affected farms where at least 12% of the number calves born in a given year are affected. My Department are currently examining existing rates.
In recent years the increase in expenditure on the scheme has been focused on acknowledging the contribution of all animals towards the eradication effort of this disease. My Department allocated €3.3 million to support the continuation of BVD tag testing in 2025 and this will continue in 2026. This targeted breeding herds and in particular smaller breeding herds where the relative costs are the greatest. The support provides a payment of €3.50 per calf tissue tested up to a maximum of 25 calves per herd.
Furthermore, my Department offers BVD epidemiological investigations under the Target Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) focusing on biosecurity advice, vaccination, additional testing/sampling, as may be appropriate in line with the programme requirements, of any herds which now identify positive/inconclusive tested animals at no cost to herdowners.
The BVD eradication programme is a national compulsory disease control programme of cattle herds in Ireland and operates as a public-private partnership between my Department, and Animal Health Ireland (AHI) with support from stakeholders including representatives from farming, breeder and industry organisations.
I would like to acknowledge the huge efforts from the stakeholders to eradicate BVD in the national herd. Tremendous progress has been made in reducing the level of disease in the national herd which saved Irish farmers in the region above € 184 million each year, according to a recently published report by IFAC on behalf of AHI. This cost would have lasted into perpetuity if the programme was not undertaken.
During 2026, I will continue delivering financial support to all herds in Ireland affected and testing support under the BVD tag testing Scheme 2026 in recognition of the efforts of farmers in reducing the levels of this disease in our territory.
