8. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the valuation ceilings applied to reactors under the bovine TB eradication scheme, to ensure farmers are compensated for the full market value for animals removed as reactors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52213/26]

Sentiment score: 0.21

The scheme designed to compensate farmers for animals lost to TB is simply not fit for purpose. The market value caps are totally out of step with the real world and farmers are being left thousands of euro out of profit. The Minister has publicly stated that he is monitoring and reviewing these caps. A review without an end date provides farmers with no commitment. When will the review be completed? Can we expect the caps to be increased?

Sentiment score: 0.08

The Minister said that budget 2026 money is tied to reducing disease and I commend him on that. It is having a positive effect. Reactor numbers are down significantly year on year to June and the herd incidence rate is also down. That is welcome. However, this disease reduction policy does absolutely nothing for farmers who have animals who are reactors. The Minister can clearly accept there is a problem with the scheme. The farmers I represent are already carrying a heavy burden. Asking them to accept compensation based on valuations that are years out of date is neither fair nor sustainable. Engagement with farmers and organisations is fine but the talking must stop and a decision must be made. Farmers now need clarity and something concrete they can take to the bank, not an endless review.

Sentiment score: 0.19

I compliment the Minister on the great work he is doing. With respect, farmers battling with this disease cannot live on engagement or reviews with no end date. Every month this drags on, more and more reactors are being removed at values set three years ago, while cattle prices continue to climb, which is good. The scheme also has a significant negative impact on farmers who are producing the best animals. I ask the Minister to consider a modest allocation from his existing budget now to increase the cap to demonstrate to farmers that he has been listening to them; and for a commitment that he will seek a special allocation for compensation from Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform in budget 2027. Farmers are entitled to that. Fairness delayed is fairness denied. I ask him to back farmers with action for these people who work hard to make a living.

Sentiment score: 0.21