asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the huge number of cattle which have died in County Clare for the past six months as a result of the disease known as fluke; that this disease has caused great economic distress throughout the county; and, if so, whether he will consider giving financial assistance or some other compensation to owners of cattle which died.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Disease in Clare.
I am aware that losses of cattle from liver fluke in County Clare last season were somewhat greater than in an average season. The losses were accentuated by the severe weather last autumn and winter.
In response to requests recently received I am having further inquiries made with a view to ascertaining more precisely the extent of the losses involved. I must await the result of these inquiries before I will be in a position to make any statement in regard to the second and third parts of the Deputy's question.
In this connection I should perhaps say that in consequence of the heavy rains in the late summer and early autumn of last year the Department's local officers were specially directed in October last to impress upon farmers the need for taking precautionary measures against fluke as recommended in the Department's leaflet on "Fluke or Liver Rot," of which large supplies were distributed, but many farmers, I regret, neglected to take these precautions or to avail themselves of the veterinary dispensary scheme in that county for the treatment of their cattle.