Pig and veal farmers will pay more for the Animal Health Fund next year. Goat farmers must also contribute more, but poultry farmers are exempt before 2022. There are large differences in contribution and change in contribution per animal species. The total budget increases by 1,9%.
This is evident from a publication in the Government Gazette. The total budget for the Animal Health Fund for 2022 will increase by 1,9% to €35 million. Of this, €21,13 million is charged to the livestock sector, while €13,87 million is paid by the Ministry of Agriculture.
There are larger changes in rates for the various sectors than the budget itself suggests.
Rate for calves increased by almost 20%
For example, animal health expenditure for the cattle sector will increase next year by 6,7% to €6,5 million, but it is the keepers of calves (officially cattle under one year of age) who will have to bear the additional costs. The rate for these animals will increase by almost 20% from 32 to 38 cents per animal. For cattle older than one year old, the rate decreases from €2,51 to €2,42 per animal. According to the explanation, this is due to 'a sum of various factors'.
Payment break for pig farmers is over
Pig farming may have to get used to the most, because nothing had to be paid there last year. There was still money in cash from existing funds. This year the payment break is over and payments must be made as normal again, a total of €3,37 million. The levy concerns removed animals. For piglets removed from an A or B company, the levy is 6 cents per animal, for fattening pigs from the same farm type, the levy is 16 cents per animal.
Poultry farmers are exempt from the levy because there are still funds that can be used. Goat farmers have to pay a 24,4% higher levy and are charged €1,57 per goat.