Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024
Specific Details
Salmonella Compensation
Intended results
To highlight the critical issue of compensation for salmonella outbreaks in poultry flocks. Recent incidents have highlighted significant gaps in the current compensation framework, which are placing our farmers under severe financial strain and threatening the long-term viability of the poultry sector.
To highlight that under Section 31(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, financial assistance or compensation for outbreaks is provided on an ex-gratia basis, co-funded by both the State and the EU. Eligible costs for compensation include the market value of the flock on the date of slaughter, the value of destroyed eggs, and transportation costs incurred. However, the current compensation amounts are often insufficient to cover the actual losses incurred by farmers.
To point out that the estimated value of affected birds alone can significantly exceed the compensation offered as observed in a recent case, not to mention additional costs incurred for culling and other necessary measures. This is without taking into account any consequential losses which are incurred.
To stress that there is also a pressing need for the establishment of a domestic culling team to reduce reliance on external teams, which can add substantial costs and delays during outbreaks.
To highlight that the poultry sector, producing an annual output of around €700 million at wholesale prices and supporting over 5,000 jobs (with over 3,500 based in the border region), is of significant economic importance. Therefore, it is crucial that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine allocates a more substantial budget to address the financial repercussions of salmonella outbreaks for both breeder flocks and table egg layers.
To urge the Department of Agriculture to;
• Reassess the current compensation framework Ensure it accurately reflects the true market value of the birds and other incurred costs to prevent placing undue financial burdens on farmers.
• Increase transparency Provide clear, detailed breakdowns of compensation calculations to ensure fairness and understanding among affected farmers.
• Establish a domestic culling team Secure funding for a dedicated culling team within Ireland to facilitate timely and cost-effective responses to outbreaks. This must include a reserve of gas to provide this service on the island.
To emphasise that the well-being of our poultry farmers must be prioritised. Adequate compensation is not only a matter of fairness but also essential to maintaining the resilience and sustainability of our Agricultural sector. Failure to provide sufficient support undermines the Department's commitment to the poultry industry and places our farmers' livelihoods at immediate risk.
To propose the establishment of a base station for grandparent genetics in Ireland and importantly create additional slaughtering capacity for end of lay birds in light of the proposed new impending limits on transport times.
To request a joint meeting with Industry experts, IFA and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to discuss how to move forward and address these issues effectively.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Nigel Sweetnam IFA Poultry Chair, Sarah Hanley IFA Policy Executive
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Amii McKeever
Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Charlie McConalogue
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)