Scrapie Depopulation Scheme compensation

7/4/2002 -

Mayo Deputy Michael Ring, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs has called on the Minister for Agriculture and Food to adjust the compensation paid to farmers, prior to Christmas 2001 under the Scrapie Depopulation Scheme.
Minister Walsh stated The owners of sheep flocks which were depopulated as a result of scrapie prior to Christmas 2001 have been paid compensation on the basis of an agreement reached at that time between my Department and IFA, representing the farmers concerned. There were particular circumstances which gave rise to an adjustment in compensation for one flockowner whose sheep were depopulated in the period in question.
As regards the remaining flockowners, the terms of the agreement and the amount of compensation involved, were clearly understood and accepted by all concerned at the time of depopulation. It is not proposed to vary the terms of payment applicable to particular categories of animals depopulated under the agreement Deputy Ring noted.
It was very unfair that farmers lost huge sums of money for bringing their sheep for slaughter just prior to Christmas, in most cases on humanitarian grounds, rather than getting the hogget price for the animals when factories reopened after Christmas.
I believe these farmers should be paid the hogget price for female lambs between 30Kg and 55Kg and I am calling on Minister Walsh to make the necessary adjustments to all farmers for same, concluded Deputy Ring.