The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I table the answer.

¶ 02 - Answer tabled.

¶ 03 (a) (i) Number of Livestock Development Instructors in Provincial Animal Production and Health Departments (by district) totals 592; examples: - North Western: Kurunegala 82; Puttalam 27 - North Central: Anuradhapura 42; Polonnaruwa 14 - Uva: Badulla 45; Monaragala 31 - Sabaragamuwa: Kegalle 24; Ratnapura 24 (Additional provincial/district details total 170 for certain listings; complete table is in the annex.)

¶ 04 (ii) There are no contract workers; services are obtained from private artificial insemination (AI) technicians.

¶ 05 (iii) Numbers of private AI technicians are provided district-wise in the annexed tables.

¶ 06 (iv) Private AI service provision is self-employment. They do not receive salaries or allowances from the Government. The Department provides basic training and AI equipment to them. The Department pays for semen straws; technicians charge farmers a fee for AI.

¶ 07 (b) (i) Yes.

¶ 08 (ii) Fees per AI by district are indicated in the tables; for example: - Many districts: Rs. 800 per AI via Livestock Development Instructors. - In some districts: Rs. 700–750; semen straw charge commonly Rs. 100; additional travel-related charges may apply.

¶ 09 (iii) Fees charged by Instructors per AI are listed (e.g., Rs. 700–800 plus specified travel where relevant). For private AI technicians, the Government has not prescribed fees; semen straw charge is commonly Rs. 100, and other charges vary (often subject to distance). Travel by government motorcycle may attract Rs. 100; by private motorcycle Rs. 400.

¶ 10 (iv) The two fee structures are not the same.

¶ 11 (v) Yes, the same fees are generally charged for second or third AI.

¶ 12 (vi) Not considered unjust, as semen straw and transport charges are incurred each time.

¶ 13 (vii) AI conception rates (indicative percentages) include: - Central Province: Kandy 30%, Matale 30%, Nuwara Eliya 30% - Western: Colombo 44%, Gampaha 41%, Kalutara 44% - Southern: Galle 45%, Matara 45%, Hambantota 45% - North Western: Kurunegala 39%, Puttalam 37% - North Central: Anuradhapura 34%, Polonnaruwa 31% - Uva: Badulla 34%, Monaragala 33% - Sabaragamuwa: Kegalle 33%, Ratnapura 33% - Northern (selected): Jaffna 17.91%, Kilinochchi 15.86%, Mannar 31.92%, Vavuniya 30.22%, Mullaitivu 28.73% - Eastern: Trincomalee 39% (others vary)

¶ 14 (viii) Treatment of animal diseases is carried out only by Veterinary Officers; Livestock Development Instructors do not perform treatments. Charges for medicines are levied at values determined by Provincial Animal Production and Health Departments.

¶ 15 (ix) Only medicine costs are charged; therefore, separate receipt details for travel etc. do not arise.

¶ 16 (c) Not applicable.

¶ 17 Additionally, in line with COPA instructions, a common methodology for charging AI fees is being developed. Relevant information has been obtained from all Provincial Directors, and a committee appointed by the Director-General of the Department is working to formulate a standard protocol.