asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state by whom the trials and tests on animals on which £21,495 has been spent to date this year are carried out; their purpose; if they are related to the progeny and performance tests which are provided for under subheads C.1 (7) and C.1 (8); the number of cattle, pigs and sheep so tried and tested in each of the past four years; the amount spent thereon in each year; and how long this service has been in operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Animal Trials and Tests.
46.
The trials and tests mentioned by the Deputy are carried out by my Department at the pig progeny testing stations and at the agricultural schools at Clonakilty and Athenry. In the case of pigs, which cost £18,932, the purpose is progeny and performance testing and the provision is made under subhead C.1. (5). This service for pigs has been in operation since 1958 and a specific report on the service giving the numbers tested is published each year. The gross amount spent on the service in the past four years is as follows:—
|
1968-69 |
£36,050 |
|
1969-70 |
£36,762 |
|
1970-71 |
£37,488 |
|
1971-72 |
£38,400 |
|
(to 29th February) |
(provisional) |
The trials and tests in respect of the cattle and sheep concerned are exceptional measures on which similar expenditure is unlikely to recur. In the case of the cattle, ten Irish Friesian females costing £1,810 are being compared with imported German Friesians. As regards sheep, 87 ewes costing £753 were acquired for the purpose of progeny testing Galway rams.
None of these tests is related to the work under subheads C.1. (7) and C.1. (8).