asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the EEC has adopted any common measures in regard to the eradication of brucellosis; and if he will indicate their implications for Ireland.
60.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Eradication.
59.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the success of the brucellosis eradication measures in each of the countries of the enlarged EEC and the extent to which only brucellosis free cattle exports will be allowed entry into these countries or parts thereof.
61.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries how the method of brucellosis eradication in this country compares with that being adopted or already successfully completed in other countries of the enlarged EEC.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 61 together.
The EEC has not adopted any common measures in regard to the eradication of brucellosis but has adopted a directive governing trade in cattle between member countries. The directive sets out certain minimum animal health requirements. As from 1st January, 1973, Irish cattle exports will be required to comply with these requirements subject to the concessions negotiated prior to the signing of the accession treaty. The general implications of the directive for this country are indicated in the White Paper on the Accession of Ireland to the European Communities and the supplement thereto which were laid before each House of the Oireachtas in January and February, 1972.
From the information available, I understand that brucellosis has been virtually eradicated from Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland. Eradication programmes are in operation in the remaining member states. As the Deputy may be aware, Northern Ireland has already been declared free of brucellosis. The terms of the directive apply, however, irrespective of the stage which eradication has reached in the importing or exporting countries. Only cattle from brucellosis free herds may normally be imported by member countries for breeding or profit but a consignee country may grant an authorisation to permit the entry of animals under 30 months of age for meat production from a non-brucellosis free herd. Animals from such herds may also be admitted for immediate slaughter. In all cases a pre-export test is necessary except for young animals and animals from a brucellosis free herd which are intended for immediate slaughter.
The method of brucellosis eradication in this country, systematic testing, slaughter of reactors and control of vaccination, is generally similar to the methods followed within the present Community as well as in Britain and Northern Ireland.
How far advanced are we with the brucellosis eradication scheme?
The next question deals with that matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, particularly in the south, brucellosis is rampant, that there is no control whatsoever, that affected animals are taken from mart to mart and sold in the open market, causing further spread of the disease, and that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have not taken action in this matter? Is he further aware that as a result of brucellosis being so prevalent there, animals are excreting the disease on the milk, thus affecting human beings, that some tourists were affected and that this had a very bad effect on the tourist trade? Is he further aware that this matter has been brought to the notice of the Department time and time again by the Cork County Animal Health Committee and that no action has been taken?
Why would the Department not allow farmers in any part of the country to engage voluntarily in the eradication scheme, as it did in the case of the bovine TB scheme, which started in five or six counties and farmers in other counties could voluntarily participate? If farmers are selling affected beasts on the open market, other animals are contaminated, as Deputy Creed has said. If farmers could voluntarily engage in the scheme reactors could be sold to the Department. The Minister should look into this matter immediately.
The Deputy is making a speech.
The future of the State could depend on what immediate action is taken.
The Deputy may not make a speech.
Reasonable progress has been made in the eradication of bovine TB. The method by which the Department are doing this at the present time is the proper one.
The question is about brucellosis.
The method is to deal with it on a county to county basis, getting certain areas clear of brucellosis. This is what we are doing at the moment. I know that the position in Munster is serious because there is a much greater incidence of brucellosis there than anywhere else in the country and, therefore, the problem is bigger but it is being tackled vigorously.
I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary why the Department allow a beast that has contracted the disease to be sold from a farm in any part of Kerry. When that beast aborts, the idea is to get rid of her. She is brought to a market and may contaminate a number of beasts. She may be sold to some unfortunate farmer who has 100 cows free of the disease and she contaminates all. Why not have a voluntary scheme whereby a farmer could apply to the Department, get his compensation and have the affected animal taken to the factory for immediate slaughter?
I did not know that farmers were such dumbbells.
That is what is happening.
Question No. 62.
62.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the cost to the Exchequer to date of the brucellosis eradication scheme; and if any estimate has been made of the likely duration of the scheme and of the ultimate cost in current money terms.
The net cost of the brucellosis eradication scheme up to 31st October, 1972, was about £5 million.
The duration of the scheme and its cost will largely depend on the disease incidence disclosed and the degree of co-operation by herdowners and other interests concerned. However, it is not likely that the scheme can be completed before the year 1980 at the earliest. It is estimated that the overall net cost will be over £50 million in current money terms.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary anticipate that we will suffer severe restrictions on the export of cattle in the near future if we cannot achieve eradication?
That is a separate question.
We are very conscious of this and are doing everything to eradicate brucellosis as quickly as possible. I do not foresee a position in which we will suffer because steps are being taken to avoid it.