13 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when discussions will commence with the farming, veterinary and other bodies to agree the operational aspects of the national beef assurance scheme at farm level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13760/00]

Some informal discussions have already commenced with farming and industry representatives concerning the operational aspects of the national beef assurance scheme at farm level. Since the national beef assurance scheme legislation was enacted, there has been extensive redrafting of the texts of the proposed farmer declaration, inspection report and certificate. In addition, there have been both formal and informal contacts with the farming and veterinary representative bodies. I intend to continue these discussions and contacts over the coming weeks to secure agreement as quickly as possible.

There has already been extensive consultation with the relevant interests prior to the publication of the National Beef Assurance Scheme Bill in July 1999. Now that the legislation has been enacted, my objective is to finalise the outstanding aspects with the minimum of delay.

On this basis, registration of participants could commence this autumn, to be preceded by an information and publicity campaign, and on-farm inspections would take place during the 2001 annual TB round. In the interim, to avoid discrimination, all parties will be given provisional approval under the scheme.

This is a very important question. Regarding the cost of on-farm certification for the beef assurance scheme, do I take it the commitment given by the Minister of State that costs will not accrue to the farming community for the issue of a certificate will become a reality?

My intention and that of the Minister of State and the Department has always been to have the minimum of expense in relation to the scheme.

I am talking about no expense, not minimum expense.

To that end, before and after publication and enactment of the legislation, we have had consultations with farming organisations and veterinary personnel. Later this year all farmers will be deemed to be approved pending inspection. Those inspections should take place during 2001. We want the inspections and certification to take place during the annual round test. We hope to get agreement between farmers and veterinary personnel so there is not a burden of any kind on farmers in relation to the scheme which is essential.

The Minister of State, An Bord Bia, the industry and I have gone throughout Europe and to third country markets. One of the reasons we are retaining our position in those markets despite BSE problems is that there is confidence in our industry and our control systems. Deputies will recall that last year the Russian veterinary authorities—

There is a one minute limit to replies.

—came to Ireland and lifted the ban on a number of counties because of their confidence. It is vital for the industry and for farmers to ensure certification is proceeded with.

The Minister of State gave a commitment there would not be a cost and I assume the Minister will stick to that.

I want a short and simple answer from the Minister. Was the commitment given by the Minister of State to our spokesperson on agriculture, Deputy Connaugton, that there would not be a cost to farmers in implementing this scheme? Farmers want a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

There is no difference between the position of the Minister of State, myself or the Department. We are the first country in Europe to have a national beef assurance scheme.

Answer "yes" or "no".

The scheme is much appreciated by the industry, our customers worldwide and in particular by the retail outlets which come to Ireland to look at our systems. They are tremendously impressed—

Will there be a charge? We want a simple answer.

They are tremendously impressed by a number of matters, including the establishment of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the work being done by Dr. Wall, the HACCP system which is in place in the majority of our plants and the national beef assurance scheme.

Does the Minister stand over the comments of his Minister of State?

We want the absolute minimum burden to be placed on farmers.

What if any progress has been made to date in determining the precise procedures for the inspection of farms? Has any progress been made with the veterinary bodies – the Irish Veterinary Union or whoever – in relation to the precise procedures? What other relevant parties are involved in negotiations? Is the Minister trying to reach a position whereby there would not be additional costs if the inspection took place during the annual herd test? Is the Minister aware that the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness states that additional costs will not be placed on farmers? Is he trying to get to that position? I will not hound the Minister as much as do my colleagues.

Agreement is reached by consultation in all these areas under the system of partnership Government which we have had for the past decade. Consultations are already taking place with farming organisations and veterinary unions. The Department and the Government want the certification to take place during the annual round test which should not result in an additional burden for the farming community.