asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is now in a position to make proposals in relation to the restoration of loss of income to herd owners in County Meath who suffered exceptional losses under the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Eradication Scheme.
61.
Appropriate measures to help herd owners in the clearance area whose herds have been found to be heavily infected with brucellosis are still under consideration. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the matter at an early date.
Is the Minister aware that this matter has been under consideration for a very long time and that the longer these people are left out of funds the worse the situation gets? Would he agree to treat this matter in a much more urgent fashion than it has been treated to date?
Yes.
The Minister used the words "in the clearance area". I recognise that the problem is sharpest in the clearance area but, if there is to be a pool of available clean stock for restocking, is it not desirable to encourage people voluntarily, ahead of the official scheme, to undertake eradication? Would it not, therefore, be desirable to make the voluntary scheme more attractive, as well as the scheme in the areas officially undertaken for clearance?
A large number of herd owners outside the clearance area are, in fact, taking part in the voluntary scheme.
It is not very attractive currently.
I think it is to those seriously engaged in the business of milk production. Probably the biggest single danger they have to worry about is the incidence of brucellosis and, with the increasing profitability of the dairying industry, it is certainly in their own interest to participate voluntarily.
How large is the number taking part?
I have not got the figure.