asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to speed up the eradication of brucellosis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Eradication.
3.
Six counties have already been declared brucellosis free and compulsory eradication measures are in operation in seven other counties. While the disease incidence in these areas is being gradually reduced I am satisfied that greater progress would be made if the existing brucellosis regulations were fully complied with by all parties concerned.
The pre-intensive brucellosis scheme, which is aimed at securing a reduction in the incidence of the disease before compulsory measures are introduced, is in operation in the remaining 13 counties and I expect that, with the active support which this scheme is getting from the co-operative creamery societies, participation will reach a high level this year.
The effectiveness of the various measures in operation is, of course, kept under continuous review.
Would the Minister agree that results to date have been very unsatisfactory?
I would agree that I am not satisfied with the progress to date and I spent the first part of today in discussions with the veterinary union in relation to this whole brucellosis business.
Would the Minister agree that this major industry is at grave risk because of the lack of progress?
I think the Deputy will appreciate that one particular difficulty we ran into last year was that the slaughtering of animals in the processing factories increased by 66 per cent; over 1,000,000 cattle were slaughtered and the degree of processing was higher than it ever had been at any time. In addition the factories simply did not have the space to take in cows. Cows are the least attractive end of the trade. There is not much point in identifying reactors if it is not possible to get them in for processing. This is the big difficulty we have, but I hope we will be able to do something about it.
Does the Minister agree that clearance is not being made in areas where it is compulsory? Cattle are being left there that have the disease. It is not much use taking the neighbour's cattle if the other man has diseased cattle left on his farm. I know one herd that has the disease. I believe we should expand only as we clear an area because taking cattle out here and there is absolutely no use.
If the Deputy has such a case I should like to know about it. I should like to have it identified because I have had the processors in and they have given me tenders on a number of occasions and they have promised there would be no delay. If there is a delay of more than three weeks I want to know about it.
I would suggest to the Minister——
The Deputy may not suggest. He may ask a question.
——if he wants any advice in this matter he should refer to Deputy Crinion who, as far as I know, is an expert on the introduction of cattle into these factories.
That is not the case.