asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state approximately the average time that elapses between the notification of a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease and the burial of the carcases and the average increase in the incidence of the disease in the herd between notification and burial, and if he is aware that experience in Great Britain has shown that the reduction of the time lag between confirmation and burial is all important in checking the spread of the disease, and if he will consider the use of mechanical diggers and fillers with a view to expediting the disposal of the infected carcases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The average time which has elapsed between confirmation of disease and the disposal of the affected herds for the whole period of the present outbreak would be between two and three days. More recently the time has been reduced to less than two days and many cases are dealt with within 24 hours of confirmation.
Every effort has been made to deal with each case with the greatest possible expedition and mechanical aids have been used when circumstances permitted.
Is the Minister satisfied that the carcases of infected animals have been disposed of with sufficient speed to reduce the spread of infection to a minimum? Is he aware that the public are not at all satisfied with the manner in which this scourge is being handled? Has he compared the handling of the disease here with the method of handling on the other side? Is he aware that the carcases of infected animals are disposed of within 24 hours from the time of the notification of the disease on the other side? What steps has the Minister taken to speed up the disposal of carcases or when does he hope to eradicate this disease?
I am aware that recently carcases are being rapidly disposed of here. As a matter of fact in many cases they are disposed of on the same day as notification is received. I do not at all hold with the Deputy that things are done so efficiently on the other side.
Are you hopeful of eradicating the disease soon?
We are always hopeful.
Has the situation improved?
I think so.
Is the Minister aware that in at least one case three days elapsed from the time of the slaughter of the animals until they were buried?
In some cases that was true. A number of outbreaks occurred on the same day in the Kilkenny area and there were some delays in disposing of the carcases. We had as many as seven, eight, nine and ten cases a day.
The case I have in mind was an isolated case which makes the delay incomprehensible. I could understand the delay if there were a number of outbreaks on the same day.
I should add also that in some places we actually had to get stone boring apparatus because we met with solid rock in the making of the graves.
Is it true that there have been three new centres of infection reported within the last 24 hours?
They are new centres in so far as they are some miles from the scene of old outbreaks.
Are they within the 15-mile radius?
Yes.
Has there not been an outbreak in Graiguenamanagh?
Yes.
And in Castlecomer?
Yes. Castlecomer is only six miles away from one of the outbreaks.
It is a new centre all the same. It is most alarming.
Can the Minister say how infection can be carried over a distance of six miles——
That is a separate question.
The question is whether the Minister is satisfied that the steps already taken are sufficient to prevent the spread of the disease.
I am quite satisfied that no infection has taken place after the veterinary surgeons have taken over possession.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the total amount paid by way of compensation for live stock slaughtered owing to foot-and-mouth disease under the Diseases of Animals Acts; (b) the total number in each case of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered; (c) the estimated cost incurred in combating the disease.
(a) The total amount paid, up to and including the 13th June, 1941, by way of compensation for live stock slaughtered on account of foot-and-mouth disease is £237,890. (b) The total number of animals slaughtered, as represented by this expenditure, is as follows: cattle, 12,638; sheep, 3,970; pigs, 1,472; goats, 164. (c) The estimated cost incurred so far in combating the disease is £341,016, made up as follows:—
|
£ |
|
|
Compensation already paid, as given above |
237,890 |
|
Compensation awarded but not yet paid |
33,800 |
|
Payments to temporary lay assistants (Local Security Force) |
50,136 |
|
Payments to temporary officials |
3,242 |
|
Travelling and miscellaneous |
11,998 |
|
Further estimated commitments |
3,950 |
|
341,016 |
|