asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the severe loss of livelihood being caused to many farmers in County Meath by the operation of the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme; and if he will take action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Scheme.
9.
Discussions in regard to this matter have recently taken place in my Department with farmers' representatives from County Meath and I have the matter under consideration at present.
Is the Minister aware that some herd owners have lost up to 75 per cent of their cattle and that, particularly in the case of milk producers, they could not possibly be compensated by mere headage payments? This is a continuing loss and would he consider——
I accept that.
——introducing some system whereby the income lost could be restored partly, at least, out of State funds and people could be restored to a reasonable standard of living? They should not lose all their savings which are necessary for future investment. Would he further consider modifying the arrangements in relation to the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme to enable people to buy in new stock which have been vaccinated in order to continue in milk production prior to the actual complete clearance of the herd, because the rigid application of the present regulations in this matter has driven people almost entirely out of milk production in certain cases?
I accept what the Deputy has said but my information is that there are about 120 herds in County Meath which have an incidence of more than 50 per cent of reactor animals. One of the expedients that is now being considered is an arrangement whereby such herd-owners would be allowed to retain their reactor animals until the completion of their lactation and also the point mentioned by Deputy Bruton of a re-examination of the veterinary regulations which govern the restocking of such farms. It is highly technical and I must confess to the Deputy that I do not understand the full implications of the veterinary aspects of it but it is under examination in my Department at the moment.
Question No. 10.
Would the Minister consider the question of restoring these losses in income to those producers who have lost substantially?
This would require legislation.
Would he consider it?
The whole question of the definite serious losses that have been incurred by certain herdowners in County Meath and elsewhere is under examination in cooperation with the farming organisations at the present time.