§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now pay the balance of sums due to the Sisters of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Passion; if he will increase the compensation paid to all egg producers after compulsory slaughter of their flocks under the Zoonoses Order 1989; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesAll moneys due to the Sisters of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Passion have now been paid. The final payment, as directed by the arbitrator, was made on 20 July 1992.
Compensation is paid in accordance with the Animal Health Act 1981 for all flocks which are required to be compulsorily slaughtered. Compensation is paid on the value of the birds immediately before slaughter. The Act requires compensation to be paid on poultry other than diseased poultry, and compensation is paid on the total number of birds in the flock less the estimated number of diseased birds. The value of each bird is calculated in accordance with a regularly reviewed scale of values which take into account the age of the birds at the time of slaughter. It is open to any flock owner who disputes the valuation of his flock to take the matter to independent arbitration.