asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he has received complaints from the North Cork area as to the large number of bulls rejected on inspection under the Live Stock Breeding Act, 1925, and if he is aware that the effect of the excessive percentage of rejections will be to cause a shortage of breeding stock with consequent loss and inconvenience, and whether he will say what steps he proposes to take in connection with the matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REJECTION OF BULLS.
DOMHNALL O MOCHAIN
Mr. HOGAN
The information at my disposal indicates that a large proportion of the young bulls exhibited in some districts, including portion of the North Cork area, at the recent inspection, were very inferior in type, and unsuitable for breeding purposes. The use of such animals would be detrimental to the cattle breeding industry, and their acceptance for licensing purposes would nullify the objects of the Live Stock Breeding Act.
Farmers have been given ample notice to prepare for the operations of the Act, and having regard to the larger number of older bulls being retained, and also to the additional number of young bulls now being licensed, I do not anticipate that there will be any material shortage of bulls for breeding purposes.
It is expected that the total number of premium bulls standing for service in 1927 will be over 2,000, as compared with 1,600 in 1926 and 1,100 in 1925. This increased provision will assist in meeting any deficiency which might otherwise exist.
Persons whose bulls have been rejected have the right of appeal.
Is the Minister aware that nearly 100 per cent. of the bulls presented in this area were rejected?
Mr. HOGAN
No.
Would the Minister have a re-inspection made in those centres where over 50 per cent. of the bulls presented were rejected?
Is the Minister aware that great complaints have been made in several parts of the country with regard to the percentage of bulls rejected in certain districts? In some districts, as many as 100 per cent. were rejected. Is the Minister aware that the very high prices for pure-bred stock at the recent bull sale is attributed, to a certain extent, to the number of bulls rejected and the consequent shortage of bulls? Would the Minister take steps to have re-examination in certain of these districts where the rejections were large, probably due to the particular inspector?
Mr. HOGAN
There are centres within three miles of each other and it is quite possible that, at one centre, all the bulls might have been rejected but it would be most unusual. I do not anticipate any real shortage. There were, as a matter of fact, far too many bulls in the country. Further, we are faced with very serious opposition, and it is absolutely essential to grade up live stock if we are to meet that opposition successfully. The standard under the Live Stock Breeding Act has been gradually raised. There were 25 per cent. of rejections on the first occasion; on the second and third occasions there were somewhat more, and last time the percentage was higher. The farmers got ample notice and, though there has been a very high percentage of rejections in some districts. I do not anticipate any shortage of bulls. I am quite satisfied that the judges in question could not very well have passed the bulls they rejected. Take Waterford, for instance. One of the best farmers in Ireland and one of the best judges of bulls in Ireland acted as inspector there. All the inspectors are, as a matter of fact, first-class farmers. I am quite prepared to read out a list of the inspectors and to get the comments of any Deputy. I should be interested to hear it asserted that any one of the inspectors is not able to do his business properly.
Is the Minister aware that no complaint has been made against the inspectors and that no complaint has been made against the Live Stock Breeding Act but that the complaint has been made that the Department is trying to advance too quickly and that meetings of protest against the number of rejections have been held?