asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why a lady (details supplied) in County Kildare was denied a herd number of her own.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Herd Number.
18.
Herd numbers are allocated by my Department for the purpose of disease control and are given only in respect of herds which are managed as independent units and where there is no danger of intermixing of the stock with animals from other herds.
My information is that the herd in this case does not satisfy these conditions and consequently the grant of a separate herd number is not warranted.
The Minister is no doubt aware that this lady inherited this farm and that it had its own herd number up to that time, when the owner was working it. What the lady in question wants is that that herd number be transferred to her. I appreciate that disease control is something of which the Minister must take cognisance but the measures that applied when both farms were worked as separate units could surely apply today. The land in question is now being grazed by another farmer. In this day, when we speak of the equality of the sexes, would the Minister not consider that the request by this lady for a separate herd number would indicate that she is prepared to work the farm as a separate unit? Does this decision mean that a married woman will not now be entitled to have land in her own name and work it in her own name? Is it to be assumed that the husband must now manage his wife's affairs?
I would be grateful if the Deputy would not indulge in long statements of this kind.
If this lady has indicated that she wants a herd number, should she not get it?
It may help the Deputy if I tell him that representations on behalf of Mrs. Sherlock were received from Deputy Power on 8th May, 1973. An examination then revealed that Mrs. Sherlock's cattle were mixing with those of her husband and also that there were no buildings on her land for the housing of sick animals. Because of this and since both farms have been managed as one unit, a separate herd number for Mrs. Sherlock is not warranted.
May I assume that if the position changes and if there is an indication that both farms can be worked as separate units 'the lady can re-apply and have her case re-examined.
I think the Deputy should appreciate that it is very difficult to have this sort of arrangement where it is a husband and wife who arc having the separation of animals for other purposes but, certainly, if there seemed to be separate holdings with separate ownership, the matter would have to be reconsidered.