asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the fact that large numbers of cattle were infested with warbles this year, he will consider reintroducing the compulsory scheme for the eradication of warble fly in the coming year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Warble Fly Eradication.
19.
A survey undertaken by my Department has shown that, with the exception of a few isolated pockets, the number of cattle affected with warbles is very low. As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, arrangements are in operation under which free treatment is available for all affected animals reported to my Department. In the circumstances and having regard to the danger that a resumption of general dressing might result in the development of a warble fly resistant to the dressing, I do not consider that the dressing of the entire national herd this year is necessary.
Is the Minister aware that ten to 15 per cent of the cattle have warble fly at the present time?
Is the Minister aware that it is only the cattle that are exposed for sale that are known to have warble fly at all? What about warble fly in the cattle that are not exposed for sale?
I do not think this is really the loophole the Deputy would appear to think it is. If the cattle that are exposed for sale show an incidence of warble fly infestation, then it can be taken that that reflects the general infestation that may exist. It is the only true guide we can accept. I do believe that the progress made has been sufficiently satisfactory, having regard to the fact that 97 per cent of the national herd is free and has been seen to be free for the past couple of years. To insist on dressing in an attempt to deal with the other three per cent does not make sense, seeing that we could, by overdressing and continuance of dressing, breed a fly resistant to the dressing, which would leave us in a worse position than the first. Together with that, we took the precaution of making available dressings free to those who report instances of infestation in their herds. This is the manner in which we feel this disease can be kept under control in the future.
Does the Minister really believe that only three per cent of the cattle of the country are infected at the present time? Surely he realises that two years ago we were told it was four per cent. However, many people who claim to know say ten to 15 per cent of the cattle are affected.
I wish those people who claim to know all these things would get in touch with us and give us the basis on which they have formed their opinions. It would be much better and more helpful than talking about percentages they themselves have calculated, probably in most cases without knowing anything about it.
What figures has the Minister available at the present time, and what percentage does he claim are infected?
Question No. 20.
Does the Minister really believe that it was good policy to drop the compulsory dressing of cattle last year? I do not think it was. If they had gone back to it for one further year, they would have eradicated the warble fly completely.
Surely that is a matter of opinion?
On whose advice was it dropped?
I have called Question No. 20.