asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will make a full and comprehensive statement of his reasons for not allowing the importation of Landrace pigs, covering in detail the following points: (a) what is the percentage incidence of atrophic rhinitis in the breed in the countries where it is generally or fairly generally kept, (b) what is the average loss of weight, due to the disease, in the output of bacon from 100 Landrace pigs in a given time, (c) what is the loss in the reduction of weight in relation to the economic gain over the average Irish pig due to the reputed food conversion efficiency and the improvement in the quality of hams, and (d) what authorities he consulted in regard to the prohibition of the importation of the breed, and what exactly each of them said in relation to the question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Landrace Pigs.
I should like first of all to refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to a question on this subject on the 20th April, 1955, and to the very full statement I made in this House last Thursday.
As to the specific points raised in his question, my information is as follows:—
(a) Precise percentage figures of this nature are not available for this or indeed for many other diseases. However, in countries where the Landrace breed is established, the incidence of infectious atrophic rhinitis is undoubtedly heavy. It is significant that such countries have in fact set up special organisations to investigate the disease and deal with the problems arising. Imports from such countries into countries where this disease was not previously known were associated with subsequent outbreaks of the disease in the importing countries. The prohibition on the import of pigs into Britain and the Six Counties, which had been relaxed to allow an importation of Landrace pigs, was reimposed in 1954 and has since been firmly maintained.
(b) and (c). It is not practicable to give detailed statistics on such points, but I may say that the economic losses associated with the disease would far outweigh the special advantages claimed for the breed.
(d) Internationally recognised authorities were consulted, but I do not think that it would be right for me to name them without their prior consent, particularly as they are in the service of other Governments. The definite advice of such authorities based on their own experience was not to permit the import of Landrace pigs into this country.
Would the Minister try to put himself into a position in which he could mention the names or give extracts from the reports of these authorities, in view of the fact that it is important, if we are to concentrate on our own existing breeds and improve them, to ease the farmers' mind on this matter? The farmers are reasonable beings and I want to know all the considerations the Minister had in mind when this prohibition was being made, so that we can get the farmers to concentrate upon improving their own breeds quickly. I think as much information as the Minister has at his disposal should be made available to the ordinary farmer.
I quite agree, but I should direct the Deputy's attention to the significant fact to which I have referred in my answer that "the prohibition on the import of pigs into Britain and the Six Counties which had been relaxed to allow an importation of Landrace pigs was reimposed in 1954 and has since been firmly maintained." I forbear from reading out to the House in extenso a full description of the disease, its historical aspects, its symptoms, its pathology. and its suspected inherited susceptibility, but I would refer the Deputy for fuller information on that to The Veterinary Record for June 12th, 1954, Volume 66. I would further refer the Deputy to the Bulletin de l'Office International Des Epizooties, Tome XLIV—Mai, 1955.
Merci beaucoup.
At page 274 of this bulletin, there is a discussion on this problem, which concludes with these words: "The only method of eradication is the stamping out of affected subjects, and even of the whole swine-stock in farms where the condition occurs. It is to be desired that, in every country, a wide investigation should be done by veterinary services so as to determine if infection exists and of what importance it is. Restrictive regulations of international traffic of breeding subjects should then be adopted."
If it would be of convenience or of value to the Deputy I would be happy to send him for his perusal a copy of the bulletin to which I refer. I should also like to refer to the resolution of O.I.E. reported on page 593 of the Bulletin de l'Office International Des Epizooties, Vingt-Troisieme Session du Comité de l'Office.
La même chose.
La meme source. It refers to contagious atrophic rhinitis and says in the concluding paragraph——
Quotations are not usually permitted during questions.
I have been asked by way of question, Sir.
Quotations are irregular.
It is all right. The Minister is merely trying to emulate the French master in Killaloe.
I was asked the question and——
I am endeavouring to keep the House right.
May I refer to this source, Sir?
I want to make it clear that quotations are not in order during Question Time.
I refer the Deputy to page 593 of the bulletin to which I referred.
I thank the Minister for the information he has given me in regard to this matter, but might I further ask the Minister to make available to any farmer who is interested in this question copies of these articles? It is important the farmers should be satisfied that the Department of Agriculture have a reasonable case in order that, having cleared their minds of the reputed efficiency of this breed, they should get on with improving the breeds that exist. The Minister should make available—it will not cost a lot——
This discussion is irregular.
——copies of these articles.
I should be very glad to do that.
I want to ask the Minister one simple, short question. Can the Minister explain how it is that the Danes have been able to use this breed of pig with tremendously satisfactory results?
I have already referred to that. I do not think we should seek the opportunity of introducing this breed into our midst as we are free of the disease. We are thus not required to take the precautions the Danes have to take.