asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that scab in sheep has been eliminated in Counties Cork and Kerry; and if he will ensure that officials of his Department will supervise the entry of sheep from other counties to sales in Cork and Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep Scab.
11.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No". Some outbreaks of sheep scab continue to occur in Cork and Kerry.
As regards the second part, my Department are looking into the question of identifying the impediments to a fully effective campaign against sheep scab and the measures necessary to overcome such impediments. However, priorities in dealing with animal diseases problems must be observed and this precludes at present the assignment of staff to supervise the entry of sheep to Cork and Kerry.
Is there any method of protection to prevent people bringing sheep from outside into marts? This is happening in many cases.
We do not wish to set up borders around counties. One cannot expect a man in Limerick to be deprived of selling sheep to a man in Counties Cork or Kerry. The local authority can compel a buyer to dip his sheep immediately, if the authority so desires. I am sure local authorities are anxious to ensure that this disease is wiped out. It is pleasing to note that, while it has not been wiped out in Kerry, the number of outbreaks there in 1974 was five. The county did very well in 1973 with only one outbreak reported. The Department have taken cognisance of this matter and the Deputy can be assured that every assistance that can be given will be given to the sheep dipping committees of Cork and Kerry. I should mention that these committees are doing good work in their efforts to eliminate sheep scab.
This is not the answer. A person cannot carry a TB animal into a mart and it is only reasonable to expect that this type of protection should be available to sheep breeders. People have gone to considerable expense to protect their flocks against this disease but, through a regulation of the Department, or somebody else, sheep affected by this disease are allowed to wander into a mart from outside and to be presented for sale. This should and must be stopped.
The Deputy is aware that it is an offence, punishable by law, to have sheep without complying with the dipping regulations. The Department are trying to get people to co-operate in seeing that the law is obeyed in their own interest, the interest of their neighbours, and of the country. It is an offence, irrespective of where a farmer resides, not to dip sheep and the local authority, the body responsible for the sheep dipping regulations, is empowered to prosecute such offenders.
The sheep dipping committees are asking for this protection.