asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the result of his Department's recent talks with the British authorities on the subject of bovine tuberculosis eradication; and for how long untested Irish cattle will continue to be allowed into Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication.
These talks were in continuation of regular discussions that have been taking place since the inception of the scheme. The points discussed related mainly to technical aspects of the future eradication programme, which, in brief, envisages the accrediting of County Sligo in 1959; of the other western counties in 1960; and of the rest of the country as soon as possible thereafter.
As regards the second part of the question, untested cattle are not admitted to any eradication or attested areas in Britain. As the whole of Britain is expected to comprise either eradication or attested areas by the 1st March, 1960, it is probable that the British, market for untested cattle will have virtually disappeared before that date.