asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give details of his scheme for the eradication of T.B. in our cattle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine T.B.
The intention is that the proposed comprehensive scheme for the eradication of bovine T.B. will commence with intensive eradication measures in one area and less intensive measures for a start in the rest of the country. The scheme would commence on a voluntary basis but would be made compulsory when the proportion of farmers participating in it in an area would so warrant. The intensive eradication measures would comprise tuberculin testing of herds for very low fees, programming the disposal of reactors and giving monetary compensation for reactors slaughtered, with a view to enabling their replacement in the herds without loss, special financial assistance towards the improvement of byres, veterinary advice to herd owners on the control of bovine T.B. and other important diseases such as mastitis, brucellosis, etc. and special facilities for treating these other diseases. The less intensive measure would comprise tuberculin testing of herds for very low fees, veterinary advice to herd owners on the control of bovine T.B. and priority in respect of grants for the improvement of byres. Grants will also be provided for creameries throughout the country towards the cost of installing plant for pasteurising separated milk.
Could the Minister say when it is proposed to put the scheme into operation, or is he waiting for the American Congress to sanction the allocation of the money from the Counterpart Fund before doing anything about the scheme?
Mr. Walsh
Yes, that is so. We are waiting for Congress to approve of the allocation of the grant for the scheme.
And in the meantime, nothing is being done about the scheme?
Mr. Walsh
Everything is ready to go ahead with the scheme.
The Minister is no doubt aware that in Britain they have gone a good way towards eliminating T.B. in cattle, and if, in five or six years' time, we have not taken adequate steps in that direction, there will be a difficulty regarding our cattle trade.
Mr. Walsh
We are ready to go ahead. We expect approval shortly.
The Minister refers to his intention to encourage creameries in the selected areas to pasteurise skimmed milk. Does the Minister not think he would be legitimately justified in requiring creameries in the area where he is intensively eliminating T.B. to pasteurise skimmed milk?
Mr. Walsh
That is so.
Does the Minister not think it would be legitimate to go further than to encourage, and, in the areas where intensive eradication is in progress, and participation in the scheme has become compulsory on the farmers, creameries should be required to pasteurise skimmed milk? Otherwise, as fast as the Minister eliminates the disease in an area, one supplier can contaminate the whole skimmed milk supply of a creamery and disease can be poured back into the area which the Minister has cleaned up.
Mr. Walsh
I have no reason to think we will not have the co-operation of the farmers when we proceed with the scheme.
I am particularly concerned that skimmed milk from cooperative societies should be pasteurised.