The cost of Ireland's TB programme for 2020 is likely to be over €96m, according to figures published by the Department of Agriculture.
There has been a steady rise in costs since 2015, rising by €9m from €82.5m to €91.4 in 2019.
They are set to again this year by almost €5m as herd incidence has breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers have exceeded 20,000 – the highest number since 2009.
Spending on compensation has risen by €4.4m in line with greater reactor numbers, testing costs have increased by €2.5m, and supply costs are up €1.7m.
Contributions
The national exchequer has shouldered the bulk of the extra cost, with its contribution increasing from €39m in 2015 to a forecasted spend of over €55m in 2020.
Farmers costs, made up of testing fees and disease levies, will increase from €33.1m in 2012 to €34.8m in 2020.
The largest drop off in contributions to the programme has been from the EU. In 2012 it provided some €13m in funding, this will fall to €5.42m in 2020. The reduction is due to penalties of almost €5m in the last two years.
The Department has had to step in and cover this loss of funds.
Overall the Department funds 57% of the programme, farmers 36%, and the EU just 6%.
Reports
The growing financial burden of the programme has lead the Department to commission a cost-benefit analysis into the country’s TB controls. This will inform the financing of the programme going forward and is due to be completed in October, likely to coincide with Budget 2021.
One of the main grievances among farmers with the programme is the compensation regime. A report into the effectiveness of the on-farm market valuation scheme (OFMVS), the primary source of compensation for farmers affected by a TB outbreak, has been completed.
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The cost of Ireland's TB programme for 2020 is likely to be over €96m, according to figures published by the Department of Agriculture.
There has been a steady rise in costs since 2015, rising by €9m from €82.5m to €91.4 in 2019.
They are set to again this year by almost €5m as herd incidence has breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers have exceeded 20,000 – the highest number since 2009.
Spending on compensation has risen by €4.4m in line with greater reactor numbers, testing costs have increased by €2.5m, and supply costs are up €1.7m.
Contributions
The national exchequer has shouldered the bulk of the extra cost, with its contribution increasing from €39m in 2015 to a forecasted spend of over €55m in 2020.
Farmers costs, made up of testing fees and disease levies, will increase from €33.1m in 2012 to €34.8m in 2020.
The largest drop off in contributions to the programme has been from the EU. In 2012 it provided some €13m in funding, this will fall to €5.42m in 2020. The reduction is due to penalties of almost €5m in the last two years.
The Department has had to step in and cover this loss of funds.
Overall the Department funds 57% of the programme, farmers 36%, and the EU just 6%.
Reports
The growing financial burden of the programme has lead the Department to commission a cost-benefit analysis into the country’s TB controls. This will inform the financing of the programme going forward and is due to be completed in October, likely to coincide with Budget 2021.
One of the main grievances among farmers with the programme is the compensation regime. A report into the effectiveness of the on-farm market valuation scheme (OFMVS), the primary source of compensation for farmers affected by a TB outbreak, has been completed.
Read more
Minister backs TB letters as forum gets set to meet
TB controversy rumbles on as Minister urged to take control
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