asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the report (details supplied) that the bovine TB eradication scheme has been held up due to lack of stocks of vaccine is correct.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine TB Scheme.
25.
The position is that, in agreement with the United Kingdom authorities, tuberculin testing in both the UK and this country will, as from the commencement of the current year's testing, be conducted using bovine and avian tuberculins instead of human and avian tuberculins as hitherto. The commencement of testing this year will, therefore, depend inter alia on the availability of the new bovine tuberculin, supplies of which are being produced at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, Surrey, England. Part of our requirements of the bovine tuberculin have already been delivered to us and further supplies are expected shortly.
Would the Minister elaborate a little in relation to recent reports that the new vaccine has on pilot testing caused a great many false positives and herd owners will be seriously disappointed with cattle being put down following the use of the new vaccine?
I am glad the Deputy has raised this because since the reports appeared I have discussed the matter with the veterinary people in my Department and I am assured that this fear is entirely without foundation.
Would the Minister issue a statement from his information factory, authenticated by his veterinary people who carried out the pilot scheme, refuting this allegation? I believe the allegation has been made by the veterinary people.
My veterinary people assure me the new types of vaccine will give much more specific results and results in fewer false positives. Only cattle with lesions will be removed. I have asked that some publicity be given to this in order to refute the statements that have been made.
The report of false positives is not correct then.
It is incorrect.
26.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is satisfied with the progress to date of the brucellosis eradication scheme in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The progress made to date towards the eradication of brucellosis in County Clare is satisfactory. The incidence both on the basis of numbers of reactor herds and reactor animals has been substantially reduced since the introduction of compulsory eradication measures to the county in 1973. The speed with which eradication can be completed largely depends, however, on the full co-operation of all concerned and on compliance with relevant regulations.