asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that a practice has developed on a large scale of importing old cows into County Kerry for the purpose of being resold at a substantial profit, on the assumption that they are of County Kerry origin, to the agents of the Roscrea factory; whether in view of the profit accruing to middlemen arising out of illegal trading in these cattle he is prepared to arrange that old cows for use in Roscrea factory will be purchased on a rota system in all the Munster counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Old Cows.
I am not aware that dealing in old cows of the nature referred to by the Deputy has been attempted on any large scale. All possible steps are taken to ensure that the benefits of the elimination scheme will accrue to the bona-fide owners of cattle in the areas in which the cows are being collected.