asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there are any proposals to compensate farmers affected by the outbreak of salmonella in cattle; and, if so, if he will give details of such proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmonella in Livestock.
7.
My Department does not operate any scheme under which farmers could be compensated for losses due to salmonellosis. This disease takes many forms and affects different types of livestock with no clinical symptoms in many cases. It would not be practicable for me in these circumstances to operate a compensation scheme.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary must be aware of the very serious financial strain on farmers whose herds are locked up because of outbreaks of this disease. A few of them are in very serious financial difficulties because of this. Is it not time that the Department took steps in regard to this very serious disease? We have seven or eight outbreaks in the country at present. This is a notifiable disease. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to take steps immediately in regard to the outbreaks of this disease and to compensate the farmers who have lost stock and milk because of it.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if there is a danger to humans handling those cattle and working on those farms? Could they be affected by this disease?
It is a disease that can affect humans as well as animals. Whether a human being could contract it from animals is something I cannot say. I am aware that it is a very seriouse disease but it has not a high mortality rate.
Surely the Department are paying for TB and brucellosis schemes. This is much more serious than the other two diseases. The Department should wake up and do something to compensate the farmers concerned and they should also bring in some regulations about it.
How many notifiable cases of salmonella have there been?
Eleven.
In what parts of the country?
There were 11 in the Cork area since last February.
How many for the whole country?
The only data I have are in connection with the Cork area.
That is not the latest information.
I am calling Question No. 8.