asked the Minister for Agriculture what precautions are at present being taken by his Department to ensure that the restrictions on movement of cattle into the West of Ireland under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme are being rigidly adhered to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis: Movement of Cattle.
38.
The measures being taken for ensuring that the restrictions mentioned by the Deputy are adhered to comprise the operation of a system of check-points and mobile patrols along the Shannon and the payment of a headage grant in respect of young tested cattle passing through the check-points into the clearance area.
The ultimate safeguard, of course, lies in the wholehearted co-operation of farmers in the clearance area with these very necessary measures which have been introduced in their interest.
Is it a fact that the system has been changed recently, that the former system under which the mobile unit made spot checks has been abandoned in recent weeks and that this unit has been stationary on a 24-hour basis on the Bridge of Athlone and that no check has been made on other bridges across the Shannon?
We have had, in fact, an all-round-the-clock check on three bridges for some time and a mobile unit is dealing with eight others. On the three bridges on which we have an all day long check, we have had evidence to show that of all the stock that crossed into the clearance area roughly 90 per cent. crossed over these three bridges; but there is nothing fixed about the existing arrangements and if we can devise a means that will give better results, we are always open to make any review considered necessary.
May I take it there is a mobile unit operating in connection with the other bridges?
That is right—every four hours.