asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in respect of the Bansha area (1) the total cattle population on the date of the introduction of the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme, (2) the total number of reactors (a) found on first test, (b) found on each test from September, 1954, to March, 1959, (c) purchased by his Department each year and (d) otherwise disposed of each year, (3) the total cattle population on 31st March, 1959, giving the number of tested cattle and the number of reactors, and (4) the total cost of operation of the Scheme, including compensation for reactors, fees to veterinary officers, etc.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme in Bansha Area.
9.
As the reply is of a lengthy nature and includes a tabular statement, it is proposed with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it in the Official Report. The following is the statement:—
1. Information as to the total cattle population on the date of the introduction of the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme is not available but the total number of cattle as disclosed in the original applications to participate in the Scheme, received from the herd-owners in the area, was 33,206.
2. (a) the total number of reactors of all types found on first test was 9,565, including 7,836 cows and breeding heifers.
(b), (c) and (d) As regards the subsequent retests and reactor removal in general, information is available in respect of cows and breeding heifers only as retesting and the purchase of reactors by the Department was confined to these types. The information available is:—
|
Year ended |
Reactors (cows and breeding heifers) |
||
|
Arising |
Purchased by Dept. |
Otherwise disposed of |
|
|
31st March, 1956 |
1,114 |
561 |
612 |
|
31st March, 1957 |
2,600 |
774 |
1,195 |
|
31st March, 1958 |
1,825 |
1,049 |
1,167 |
|
31st March, 1959 |
1,560 |
923 |
913 |
|
7,099 |
3,307 |
3,887 |
3. Information is not available as to the total cattle population, the number of tested cattle or the number of reactors in the area on 31st March, 1959.
The total cost of operation of the Scheme in the area up to 31st March, 1959, was £213,532, gross. Receipts from the sale of reactors amounted to £129,508, giving a net expenditure of £84,024.