asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will summon a conference of representatives of the creamery industry, farmers' organisations and the veterinary profession, with a view to co-ordinating the efforts of all concerned in the eradication of T.B. from cattle in the general testing areas.
Questions— Oral Answers. - Bovine T.B.
I can assure the Deputy that prior to, and since, the start in September, 1954, of the bovine T.B. eradication scheme there have been frequent discussions on the scheme with the veterinary profession, creamery industry and representative farming and live-stock interests. These discussions have proved most helpful, and I am glad to avail of this opportunity to express my thanks for the support afforded by these bodies. There has, however, been no demand for a general conference on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister satisfied that the number of pasteurising plants installed is sufficient and is he aware that the pasteurisation of this skim milk is an absolute prerequisite and will he urge upon the creamery industry to expedite the installation of those plants?
The question really arises out of question 15. I have tried to make it as clear as I possibly can that I attach the highest possible importance to the installation of plants. We are giving a 50 per cent. free grant to any creamery who will install such plant and I am hoping by example to get the co-operative dairying industry to adopt this policy on a voluntary basis. All the creameries associated with the Dairy Disposal Board, I think, have been equipped but the Deputy appreciates the difficulty that if one tries to force small co-operative societies into development of this character, one is liable to elicit the complaint that one is seeking to drive them into bankruptcy. The Deputy may rest assured that I attach the highest importance to the early installation of plants of this kind and any suggestion he has to make to me to expedite this on a voluntary basis, I will value very highly.
May I assume that, when the Minister saw the groups to which I refer in the question, he saw them individually? Would it not be far better to call a general conference, because the groups mentioned are, in the main, the participating bodies, and try to hammer out some agreed scheme by which he would commit all to participate?
I understood that we had, in fact, achieved that purpose. There have been, I think, meetings between certain individuals of these groups. I certainly do not exclude the Deputy's proposal and I will examine it.