asked the Minister for Agriculture what additional steps it is proposed to take to expedite the eradication of bovine tuberculosis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis.
Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Moylan)
A reply was given to a similar question on 7th May last and I therefore presume that the Deputy wishes to know what further steps have been taken since then, or are in prospect.
In answer to the previous question reference was made to the intention of improving the compensation payable for cows taken up under the Bovine Tuberculosis Order, 1926. This has since been done and the local authorities concerned have been authorised to pay the full market price as compensation for each animal slaughtered.
A very important further development since May last has been the extension of intensive eradication measures to Counties Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo and Roscommon. Veterinary inspectors and trained lay staff have been assigned to each of these counties where, also, the purchase of reactors has been in progress since the beginning of October. I have also placed staff in Counties Cavan, Galway and Monaghan where the canvassing of herd-owners is proceeding and the full intensive measures, including the purchase of reactors, will operate very shortly. County Donegal should follow by the end of the year.
I have also directed the extension of intensive eradication measures to Counties Cork and Limerick as a matter of urgency and arrangements to this end are already well advanced. When this takes place, intensive eradication will be in progress throughout more than half the country, including the most important breeding areas. I might mention that in County Cork a number of progressive creamery societies are showing great interest in the problem and in two large creamery areas tuberculin testing is already proceeding with a view to the early purchase and removal of reactors by the Department. This is an example that I strongly commend to other creamery societies in Cork and Limerick in preparation for the intensive measures soon to be introduced in those counties.
The Diseases of Animals (Bovine Tuberculosis) Act, 1957, was passed by the Oireachtas in July last. This confers on me a wide range of powers for the furtherance of the eradication programme. As a first step, I recently made an Order requiring all creameries and cream separating stations in the country to pasteurise, or render safe, all separated milk returned by them to their suppliers. This will take effect on 1st January, 1958. I have also announced my intention of making an Order declaring County Sligo to be a clearance area as from 1st November, 1957.
When, as a result of veterinary inspection, an animal is deemed to be affected, what instructions, if any, are issued to the owner regarding its disposal? I am asking that question because I believe that cattle that have been rejected are then brought to the fair by the owners and sold to unsuspecting parties and that, instead of improving, the position is worsening, if anything. I would like some clarification on that point as many people are interested in it.
Mr. Moylan
I should be very surprised if there were any unsuspecting parties in West Cork. I do not think we have gone as far as we would like to go in relation to the exchange of these reactors. I am not quite as familiar with all the details of the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme as I would like to be, but eventually, and as soon as possible, I would assume that we must take precautions to prevent the sale in clearance areas of cattle affected by T.B. I am not suggesting we are doing it now. There is no possibility, of course, of selling a reported clinical reactor. That beast must be destroyed, but we have not got so far as earmarking the general body of reactors yet. We shall come to that. Again, I should like to say there are not any unsuspecting people in West Cork.
I think it is incumbent upon the Minister to mark these cattle immediately. If I, as a farmer, get my cattle inspected——
The Deputy may not make a speech.
I am not making a speech but I am asking the Minister——
The Chair considers it a speech.
——if a farmer gets his cattle inspected and if the veterinary inspector states, say, that a heifer has not stood up to the test is there anything under present legislation, to prevent that farmer from taking that heifer to the fair and selling it to an unsuspecting person?
Mr. Moylan
There is nothing to prevent the buyer from asking for a veterinary report.