Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
I have also asked my officials to maintain and develop stakeholder engagement with farming, veterinary
and environmental representative organisations. Indeed such a meeting has already taken place
on 3 July, which follows on from a TB industry and wider stakeholder workshop held last October at
Greenmount College.
In addition, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has recently been requested to put forward
further research proposals across a range of aspects of TB, including the role of slurry in spreading TB;
an investigation of the risk factors for herds with multiple reactors and / or chronic TB infection in order
to further reduce disease in those herds; and an analysis of the existing molecular strain typing data to
determine how this tool can be best applied practically in the TB eradication programme and to provide
a better understanding of TB transmission in the north. An assessment has also been commissioned
of farmers’ understanding of and attitudes to applying biosecurity measures when dealing with
diseases.
Davagh Forest Park
Mrs Overend asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on the work being
done to transform Davagh Forest, Cookstown into a multi-purpose trail.
(AQW 13602/11-15)
Mrs O’Neill: When Forest Service launched the ‘Recreation and Social Use of Forests Strategy’ in July
2009 we were keen to realise the full potential that forests offer.
The proposed recreation trail network at Davagh Forest will provide a good example of how we
can promote the recreational use of our forests for the benefit of all visitors in line with Forest
Service’s strategy. Working together with Cookstown District Council, this project will demonstrate my
Department’s commitment to working in partnership with organisations and local government to secure
a more diverse range of facilities and attractions in our forests, for the benefit of our rural communities
and for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Work on the construction of the trail network has not yet commenced. My officials in Forest Service
have been working closely with Cookstown District Council in developing a legal agreement for the
Council to construct, maintain and manage the recreation product.
EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme
Mrs Dobson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 11186/11-15,
what targets her Department has with regards to the EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme; and how the
delivery of the Scheme can be improved.
(AQW 13702/11-15)
Mrs O’Neill: In my earlier reply I outlined the aims of the Scheme and advised that we have a high level
of uptake by nursery, primary and special schools. I also welcome the fact that all of our Education and
Library Boards (ELBs) participate in the delivery of the Scheme.
I would encourage every school and every parent of a child at school in the north to avail of the
benefits of this Scheme. To this end the Dairy Council for the north of Ireland (DCNI) has undertaken
valuable promotional work with assistance from both my Department and the European Community.
I have also asked my officials to write to the Principals of all nursery, primary and special schools to
encourage either their continued participation in the Scheme or to ask them to consider providing
drinking milk under the Scheme for the benefit of their pupils.
Another important factor is the effective and efficient delivery of the Scheme through the ELBs. Each
school participating in the Scheme liaises with the local ELB which collates a single claim at the end of
each school term for all schools in its area and submits it to my Department for payment. In this way
administration costs are kept to a minimum.
WA 456