asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is difficulty and loss experienced in selling Irish cattle, marked with a puncture hole in the right ear, in the British market; that large numbers of Irish cattle are so marked; and if he will take up with the British Government the question of using some other distinguishing mark in connection with the cattle subsidy scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Irish Cattle in British Market.
I would refer the Deputy to the Press notices on the subject from my Department which appeared in the newspapers last December and again this month. In these notices stock owners in the Saorstát were advised to discontinue marking with a hole on the right ear store cattle intended for export to Great Britain. Exporters were advised not to ship cattle so marked. Copies of the recent notice published this month were circulated to the various live-stock associations, county committees of agriculture, salemasters and others. It is not proposed to make representations to the British Authorities as suggested by the Deputy.