asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the wholesale suppliers (name supplied) of Ruelene and the suppliers (name supplied) of Tiguvon have refused supply of these drugs to the NFA on the basis that all such supplies have been taken up by the AI stations; that these preparations are freely available to farmers in Northern Ireland; and that if the NFA are free to operate the scheme they can give a cheaper service for warble fly eradication than the State sponsored AI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Warble Fly Eradication.
32.
I would refer the Deputy to replies given to questions on the subject of warble fly eradication on 3rd and 5th November.
I have been informed that the manufacturers of the drugs used to dress cattle for warbles have refused to supply the drugs to the NFA but that is a matter between the parties concerned.
I am aware that the President of the NFA has been reported as stating that he saw no reason why a system could not be operated whereby farmers could obtain supplies of the chemicals and treat their own cattle. So far as my Department are concerned, the NFA are not precluded from operating a dressing scheme themselves if they reach a satisfactory agreement with the suppliers of the dressing.
In Northern Ireland the position is that herd owners have the choice of having infested animals treated by the Ministry of Agriculture directly at a fee of 5s per animal or having the treatment carried out privately by their veterinary surgeons for an agreed fee.
Am I to understand that these two drugs are freely available to anyone who wants to buy them?
I dealt with that in my reply. I said that I was aware that there was some difficulty. The President of the NFA referred to the difficulty which his organisation had in procuring supplies for their members. I also said this was a matter for resolution between the organisation and the suppliers.
Has the Minister issued any fiat that these suppliers are not to make the drugs freely available?
No.
My information is that the contractors who are carrying out the scheme on behalf of the Minister have taken up all available supplies of both these drugs. Has the Minister any statement to make on that? Why should one not be able to buy the drugs on the market?
The Deputy may not have heard the relevant part of my reply which says:
So far as my Department is concerned the NFA is not precluded from operating a dressing scheme themselves if they reach a satisfactory agreement with the suppliers of the dressing.
Does that answer the Deputy's question?
No. It still implies that the Minister is creating a restrictive practice. He is controlling the scheme and will not let anyone else do the job.
This is not so.
What else does the reply mean?
It certainly does not say that.