asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the dispute between the Irish Bloodstock Breeders' Association and his Department concerning the quarantine facilities for 23 valuable thoroughbred horses worth almost £3 million which were brought into the country from the United States on 25th November, 1971 and are now located at the RDS premises; if he is aware that the owners have got little or no co-operation from his Department; and what action he intends taking in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horse Quarantine Arrangements.
78.
My Department have had no representations from the Irish Bloodstock Breeders' Association about the quarantine arrangements for the thoroughbred horses recently imported from the United States. I am aware, however, from newspaper reports that a member of the association has expressed to representatives of the Press his dissatisfaction with the arrangements.
The quarantine accommodation for the imported animals was kindly provided by the Royal Dublin Society at the request of my Department and is the same as that in which a large number of imported thoroughbreds, including mares in foal, were satisfactorily quarantined in January-February, 1968, during the foot-and-mouth disease emergency in Britain.
My Department have been at pains to facilitate the bloodstock breeders in this matter subject to certain veterinary safeguards which are essential to the protection of our valuable bloodstock industry in the light of the recent very serious outbreak of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis in the United States. I cannot accept that there has been any lack of co-operation by my Department. I am assured by daily reports from the veterinary officer in charge that the horses in quarantine are being well looked after and have improved since arrival. I understand that owners who have inspected their animals are quite happy with their well-being.
Is the Minister saying there was very little co-operation?
That is right, but the Department have tried to cooperate in every way possible with the owners of the horses.
I cannot understand how the Department could have made the arrangements when, as the Minister has said, they were not contacted.
We had no knowledge of any complaints that were being made except those that were made through the Press. It seems that one owner conveyed a sense of dissatisfaction to members of the Press but so far as I know, not to the Department.
Or to any of the Department's officials?
Not to my knowledge.
Can the Minister say who is responsible for providing quarantine facilities in so far as the bloodstock industry is concerned?
These horses are being held in quarantine in RDS premises. It is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to ensure that no such disease as the Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis gets into the country.