asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the growing concern being expressed in County Limerick at the extent to which brucellosis is being discovered in dairy herds; and the action, if any, he proposes to take to remedy this situation effectively.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Limerick Brucellosis.
6.
The incidence of brucellosis in County Limerick, as part of the main southern dairying area, is of course understandably above the average for the country as a whole. It was for this reason that I introduced last year the Pre-Intensive Brucellosis Scheme as the best approach for herdowners in that area to prepare, with the least possible disruption of their farming activity, for application of full eradication measures.
Is the Minister aware that the scheme which he has talked about is a failure and that, instead of helping to curb the disease, the disease is now rampant throughout the dairy herds not alone in Limerick but in all adjoining dairy counties? Is the Minister aware that reports from veterinary surgeons indicate that from 40 to 50 per cent of the herds are affected?
Like all schemes which are not compulsory it can be claimed that it is not successful, but I believe the Minister would maintain that it has permitted farming to proceed and at the same time permitted the removal of reactors of those interested in the scheme. It has been useful to that extent. I believe the Minister would agree with the Deputy that the only satisfactory solution is the implementation at the earliest possible stage in County Limerick and adjoining areas of the full brucellosis scheme.
Is the Minister aware that the scheme we are talking about is a complete failure and that it will continue to be a failure until such time as adequate grants are available to participate in the scheme, to help farmers replace the animals affected by the disease? Has the Minister any proposals to increase grants given to farmers to replace affected animals?
The present grant is sufficient inducement but, like all inducements, it could be better or improved. In my view there is a favourable development amongst large creamery groups becoming more interested in this area and, with their co-operation, even the present voluntary scheme can achieve the limited improvements which the Minister visualised on its introduction. Most Deputies will agree that the scheme of the Minister has been an appreciable help in advance of the compulsory scheme.
Is the Minister aware that animals with brucellosis are being sold freely at marts and fairs in the counties in question? The farmers who own them know they are affected by brucellosis but they are selling them as milch cows. What action, if any, does the Minister propose to take to deal with this?
On the main burden of the Deputy's question farming organisations have expressed their support for the scheme. The result, to some extent, has been disappointing in terms of what the Minister expected, but the scheme has achieved limited success.
The scheme is an utter failure.
Question No. 7.
This is most important and concerns the health of the country.
I hope the Ceann Comhairle never gets brucellosis.
I hope not. This question applies to County Limerick and I have allowed Deputy Collins quite a number of supplementary questions on it. I will not allow a broadening of the question on a national basis.