asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of reactors removed from herds up to 31st May, 1972, under the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme; and the amount of compensation paid for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Eradication Scheme.
81.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Year ended 31st March |
Number of Reactors |
Compensation |
|
£ |
||
|
1967 |
1,995 |
124,263 |
|
1968 |
3,595 |
246,287 |
|
1969 |
2,414 |
181,582 |
|
1970 |
1,743 |
151,660 |
|
1971 |
10,034 |
957,710 |
|
1972 |
21,636 |
2,385,658 |
|
41,417 |
4,047,160 |
I asked the Minister for only two totals, the number of reactors and the amount of compensation paid.
For a series of six years?
Yes, the accumulative totals.
Yes, 41,417 reactors and the compensation paid, £4,047,160.
In view of the staggering figure for compensation, will the Minister say how the country will pay for this compensation scheme——
I am being pressed by the Deputy's party to continue and to extend the scheme.
The whole eradication of brucellosis will have to be looked at seriously——
Its eradication is being attacked from several different angles.
Would the Minister not agree it would be desirable to strengthen the voluntary schemes so that there could be a nuclei of free herds in parts of the country before they are reached by the Department's scheme?
I think more emphasis should be put on the voluntary scheme in operation in the south.
Would the Minister not agree the best way to increase it would be to extend the inducements to do so? At the moment it is financially disadvantageous to participate in it.
I do not think so. For people particularly in intensive dairying areas it is advantageous for herdowners to begin the gradual elimination of the disease and the identification of reactors by this means.
I agree but would the Minister not agree that the number of herds participating in the voluntary scheme—I understand it is 25—is tiny and irrelevant to the entire problem of eradicating brucellosis?
The ravages of the disease in dairy herds are becoming more and more expensive and that in itself should be an inducement to more farmers to participate.
Would the Minister not agree that the fact that so many farmers are ignoring the voluntary scheme means that voluntary participation is so tiny, it has become irrelevant and that therefore it should be made more attractive?
I would accept that this scheme should be pushed at a greater rate.
Has the Minister any change in mind for the voluntary scheme?
Not at the moment but I agree it should be looked at.