Farmers are "a little bit confused" about the categories their livestock fall into under new TB rules, a TD has warned.

According to the Fine Gael TD for Galway East, Peter Roche, there "is considerable confusion about the testing and the movement rules" that have been introduced.

The Fine Gael TD said farmers "are asking that the rules be simplified".

Deputy Roche also highlighted in the Dáil this week that the current compensation rates in relation to livestock that comedown with TB are out of line with market prices.

The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV) is the main compensation scheme available to farmers who experience a TB breakdown in their herd.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) the following ceilings apply to payment "in respect of an individual bovine animal":

Any other individual bovine animal - ceiling of €3,000 each;
Pedigree cows and pedigree in calf heifers - ceiling of €5000 each;
Three pedigree stock bulls allowed in the same breakdown episode - ceiling of €5000 each.

Deputy Roche told the Dáil that apart from the financial burden that TB wrecks on farm families "the emotional loss is also considerable".

As a result he believes the compensation cap should now be "revisited".

TB

In response to Deputy Roche the Tánaiste said that the changes contained in the TB action plan are "necessary to help drive down the levels and prevent more farmers experiencing these very difficult impacts".

"The changes are targeted to ensure they focus on a group of animals that are responsible for the largest number of reactors, namely cows, while also ensuring farmers can continue to sell them at livestock marts to achieve a competitive price," Simon Harris added.

He outlined that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, had written directly to farmers in advance of the changes, and that officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine "continue to engage with farm organisations".

"I am aware of the financial impact and I will discuss with the minister the points Deputy Roche has made on compensation schemes and changes," the Tánaiste added.