asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has in mind a nation wide campaign, based on the blue card system, for the eradication of the warble fly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Warble Fly Eradication.
30.
As I have already announced I have decided that a national dressing campaign for warbles in cattle will again be undertaken next autumn. Discussions on the detailed arrangements, including the manner of certification of dressing, are being held with the various interests concerned.
Did the Minister read the papers this morning? Is he aware that cattle dressed in this country were turned back at the Border? Will he take any steps about that matter? Will he tell the House what he intends to do to get rid of the warble fly in our cattle? His Department have been working at it for three or four years. In other countries the warble fly has been eradicated in a very short time. What does the Minister propose to do finally?
As I said in my reply and, as has been announced recently in the Press, on the radio and elsewhere, the warble fly eradication scheme is being reintroduced. As to what we ought to do, Deputy O'Sullivan and every other Deputy should do everything he can to see that this warble fly eradication scheme will be a success, particularly by emphasising the absolute necessity of dressing all the animals in the herd irrespective of whether they are in-calf or not. This is one of the places where the eradication scheme fell down the last time. I would further say that the benefits that will accrue to farmers, apart from the eradication of the warble fly itself, in the elimination of vermin in cattle generally, should more than compensate the participating farmer for his effort.
Is the Minister aware that this scheme would have been a success if the last Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries had heeded the appeal of Deputy Clinton and other Members on this side of the House to continue the scheme for at least another year? Will the Minister ensure, when this scheme is in operation, that the farmer shows every single beast in his herd and also that it be marked on the blue card? Will the Minister also agree with me now that there are some funny warbles on the Fianna Fáil Party at the present time?
(Cavan): They are so busy eradicating themselves they have no time for anything else.