When the young farmer discovered he had bought an animal from a herd that was diagnosed with TB, Shevlin received a letter informing him that his herd had been restricted. You can read his piece here.

Luckily Shevlin’s steer did not prove to be a reactor, but had he done so Shevlin would have been unable to buy any further animals until he had two clear tests in 120 days, bringing him to the middle of May before he would be allowed to purchase any more animals.

While keeping in mind that responsibility for arranging and paying for the first herd tests each year still rests with farmers, we bring you a breakdown of the policies in place to compensate farmers whose cattle have contracted TB.

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According to the Department of Agriculture, there are four main schemes under which farmers can apply for compensation, the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme, the Depopulation Grant Scheme, the Income Supplement and the Hardship Grant Scheme.

The On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme

This scheme compensates farmers for cattle removed as reactors. Market value refers to the price which might reasonably have been obtained from a buyer in the open market at the point of determining compensation if the animal had not been diagnosed with TB. The main features of this system are as follows:

  • Valuations are carried out by suitably qualified valuers within prescribed timescales

  • A maximum of €2,800 can be paid in respect of any single animal except in respect of one pedigree stock bull per farm where a maximum of €3,500 can be paid

  • Where the owner does not accept the initial valuation, this can be appealed to another valuer

  • Following completion of the on-farm valuation, the reactor (s) are removed from the farm by a collection service

  • If there is no agreement following an appeal, the matter is referred to an arbitration panel whose decision will be final and binding on both parties

  • Penalties apply to the final compensation payment made to the owner where s/he unreasonably delays the removal of reactors as well as for other breaches of regulations

  • Valuation payments will not be paid in respect of any introduced animal (other than where permission has been granted to move in (i) a replacement stock bull(s), (ii) emergency replacement suckler calf (where a calf to a suckler cow dies and is notified to NBAS), (iii) in the case of a newly established herd, (iv) or in the case of animals moved into a restricted herd pending a contiguous test) deemed reactor which was moved into the holding during the restriction period

    • Depopulation Grant Scheme

    This scheme compensates farmers whose herd is depopulated in the interest of disease control.

    These grants are generally paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those removed as reactors since the herd was restricted. It excludes animals moved in during the restriction period. Depopulation grants are paid each month during the period specified by the District Veterinary Office (DVO).

    The Depopulation Grant rates are currently as follows:

  • Dairy cows/In-calf heifers/pedigree bulls under 12 months: €228.52c

  • Other cows/in-calf heifers: €126.96c

  • Other animals: €76.16c

    • Income supplement

    This supplement is payable in cases where disease breakdown results in the removal of more than 10% of animals in a herd and where depopulation is not deemed appropriate. Payment is in respect of each animal removed as a reactor from the herd but only a maximum of 100 animals can qualify for payment.

    The supplement is generally not payable in the event of animals being purchased or moved into a restricted holding at any time during the restriction period.

    Income supplement eligibility will also cease in the event of:

  • The owner failing to cooperate with inspectors or authorised officers in carrying out their duties, which includes delays in testing

  • Depopulation (total or partial) of the hard being deemed appropriate by the department

  • De-restriction of the holding

    • The rates currently in force with respect to this supplement are as follows:

  • Dairy cows and other animals: €25.39

  • Other cows: €38.09

    • Hardship Grant

    Eligibility for the Hardship Grant runs from 1 November to 30 April. The scheme is designed to alleviate the costs of owners whose holdings are restricted on foot of a herd retest and where animals are retained during a period of restriction. Potentially eligible owners must meet certain conditions, including requirements that they (i) must not have any income from milk sales and (ii) must not have any off-farm income.

    The general rule is that where animals have been moved on to a holding during a restriction period, eligibility for receipt of the hardship grants ceases for the remainder of the restriction period.

    The grant provides eligible owners with a payment of up €250 per month for a period not exceeding four months within the period specified above.

    Luckily Shevlin won’t have to look into any of these schemes as a result of the tests for his cattle coming back clear, but farmers would do well to familiarise themselves with the above in case of TB happening to infect their cattle.

    More information on these schemes can be found at www.agriculture.gov.ie