asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the hardship inflicted on farmers in the nonclearance areas, who cannot dispose of their reactor cattle; and if he will consider giving a subsidy to feeders to purchase reactor cattle for fattening.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of Reactor Cattle.
43.
In the counties outside the Clearance Area, my Department is prepared to purchase all cow reactors in non-accredited herds and all reactors of all types in accredited herds, at current market value.
I am aware, however, that some farmers may have difficulty in disposing of other reactors, and that this problem could become more acute after the 1st March, 1960, when untested store cattle may no longer be exported to Britain. I am not prepared to give a subsidy on the lines suggested, but, as a means of encouraging the disposal of reactor cattle, I am working out details of an arrangement whereby purchasers of these cattle for slaughter will be indemnified against loss in respect of meat condemned because of T.B.