asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the number of reactors bought by his Department under the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme in County Kerry to 1st October, 1959, and the average amount paid per animal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Reactor Cattle.
58.
A total of 17,356 reactors have been bought by my Department in County Kerry up to 1st October, 1959, the average amount paid per animal being £38 9 10d.
59.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the reason for the change on 1st October, 1959, in his Department's system of purchasing reactor cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I assume that the Deputy has in mind the new arrangements in regard to reactor cows in Counties Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, which came into operation on the 1st October.
For some time previously, there had been criticism in the South of the existing arrangements for the taking up of cow reactors under compensation, and it had been strongly represented to me that the herd-owner should be free to dispose of his reactors himself at the best price obtainable, and should, in addition, receive a flat cash payment from the Department over and above the market price. I accepted this proposal, and, on the basis of the reactor cows being sold to a cannery, I agreed to pay a headage grant of £15 in respect of each cow reactor, on top of the commercial price. I also undertook to protect the herd-owner against loss through condemnation of the carcase, or part of it, by indemnifying the canning firms against such loss. Moreover, I agreed to pay a bonus of £8 per cow reactor removed, or £4 per cow in the herd, when the herd had a clear test.
These proposals were discussed beforehand with the representatives of the farmers' organisations for the area, who accepted them as on the right lines. I am, myself, thoroughly convinced that they are, inasmuch as they give the owner complete freedom to secure all that the beast is commercially worth and a generous sum by way of addition from the Exchequer.
The remaining questions will be taken tomorrow.
Is it possible to have certain questions treated as star questions for any Deputy who may wish to have the replies?
If any Deputy would like to have a written reply to his question that can be arranged.
I should like No. 88.
What about the written answers to questions?
The written answers will be available.