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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1936

Vol. 61 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculosis in Cattle.

asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that important tests have been carried out by the Government of Northern Ireland in connection with the use of Spahlinger serum for the treatment of cattle affected by tuberculosis; whether he has read a report issued in connection with these experiments; whether the report claims that cattle treated with Spahlinger vaccine are rendered immune from tuberculosis, and whether he is prepared to undertake independent investigations to ascertain if the vaccine in question can now be used successfully to cradicate tuberculosis in cattle.

Dr. Ryan

I am aware that a limited number of experiments has been carried out by the Government of Northern Ireland to test the value of the Spahlinger vaccine in the prevention of tuberculosis in cattle. The general conclusion drawn from a careful examination of the reports of these experiments is that the results are not such as would enable a definite opinion to be formed as to the value of the vaccine. I understand that more extensive tests are about to be carried out in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. I am fully alive to the importance of obtaining a satisfactory method of preventive vaccination against tuberculosis in cattle and will keep closely in touch with the results obtained in tests of the Spahlinger and other vaccines which promise some measure of success. I do not propose at present to have independent investigations carried out in the Saorstát.

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