31 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if herd owners, who have had outbreaks of tuberculosis in their herds in 1992, will be allowed to replace these animals for headage payment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Where animals have been included in applications for the Cattle Headage Scheme in more Severely Handicapped Areas, the Beef Cow Scheme in Less Severely Handicapped Areas and Coastal Areas with Special Handicaps, the EC Suckler Cow Premium Scheme and the EC Special Beef Premium Scheme, and where it later transpires that all or some of these animals are removed under the Disease Eradication Schemes grants will be allowed on the animals which are removed without obligation to replace those animals either within or after the retention periods specified in the headage and premia schemes.