asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that three cattle have died in the County Kilkenny with one farmer, and the recovery of two others is doubtful, after the warble fly dressing having been applied, and, if so, if he will state if the matter was investigated by the Department and what was the result; and if he will state if there is any danger to the cattle attendant on the application of the dressing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Warble Fly Dressing of Cattle.
Investigations have been carried out in the case referred to. As is usual where death arises from the warble fly treatment, a payment equal to the market value has been made in respect of the three animals mentioned, and inquiries are being conducted with regard to the other two animals.
The number of such fatalities is extremely small when considered in relation to the number of animals treated. Normally the treatment is innocuous, but in the case of supersensitive animals death may ensue from shock or anaphylaxis arising from absorption of the toxic products resulting from the crushing of immature larvae.
Do I understand from the reply that the cattle died from the effects of the dressing?
Dr. Ryan
No, not from the effects of the dressing.
Is there any danger in connection with the continued application of this dressing in future? Further losses may occur if the people are not made aware of the fact that cattle can die from this if not applied properly. Something should be done in the immediate future in order to prevent further losses. I am glad to hear from the Minister that he has granted compensation to the people who have lost cattle.
Dr. Ryan
A circular was issued, as a matter of fact, pointing out that any rough treatment was likely to lead to trouble—the crushing of the larvae or using a wire brush, as has been done in some cases. The dressing itself is absolutely innocuous.
Does the Minister not think it strange that anaphylaxis should affect three cattle on the one farm? Would it not be much more likely that anaphylaxis would appear in 2 per cent. of cattle very widely distributed over the country, and has he caused special inquiries to be made into the case referred to with a view to ascertaining whether the cattle licked one another, and whether, in the event of their so doing, the dressing can poison them, as such an allegation was made in Great Britain?
Dr. Ryan
As a matter of fact, cattle and sheep have been drenched with four or five times the amount of the dressing put on one beast without any harm to them. The reason why it occurred in one particular herd is that the same treatment was given in regard to crushing the larvae. It is the crushing that causes the trouble.