asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of cattle purchased from herds under the disease eradication programmes in each of the years 1973, 1974 and to date in 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Disease Eradication.
15.
The numbers of reactors slaughtered under the disease eradication programmes in the years 1973, 1974 and 1975 (to end October) were as follows:
|
1973 |
74,856 |
|
1974 |
121,182 |
|
1975 (to 31st October) |
84,275 |
Could the Minister gives us an indication as to when the diseases eradication scheme will be resumed and the removal of reactors from herds?
As the Deputy knows, I have given him a figure of 84,275 removed in the current year up to 31 st October. That is no small achievement but the sooner we can get back to normal testing the better I will like it. That is all I shall say.
Does the Minister not accept that effectively the eradication schemes in relation to brucellosis and tuberculosis have been abandoned?
I do not accept that at all.
No testing is being done except at the farmer's expense and for export purposes only.
That is not true.
All over the country open cases of bovine tuberculosis are being identified.
What the Deputy says is not correct.
It is.
I gave the figure before. By October we had spent £8.1 million on disease eradication out of a total of £11 million provided, so we must be testing.
16.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if any estimate has been made by his Department of the economic consequences both to the Exchequer and to herdowners of the abandonment of the disease eradication programmes.
As the disease eradication schemes have not been abandoned and as it is not the intention to do so, no estimate has been made of the possible consequences of abandonment.
Is the Minister serious? Is it not a fact that no testing has been done under the brucellosis scheme since last June and there seems to be no tuberculosis testing either?
That, of course, is not correct. The Department's veterinary surgeons have concentrated on herds with bad histories and on Kilkenny and Waterford in particular where the position has disimproved since they were declared clear. These counties have become worse and the veterinary surgeons are concentrating on them and also on the herds with a brucellosis history. In addition, we are doing the milk ring test all the time and it has removed quite a number of cattle.
The Minister seems to be evading the fact that, while Department vets may be conducting tests here and there, the whole eradication scheme involving all of the veterinary profession throughout the country is at a total standstill, that herdowners all over the country are wondering where we will be in 1978 when we cannot export unattested cattle?
Of course, it is always the easiest thing in the world to blame the Minister for all this. If that is the attempt, it is not a really good one. The veterinary surgeons have been given every opportunity to co-operate, and so far they have not co-operated.
Might I say that——
A question, please, Deputy.
——on this very important point the Minister cannot accuse this party of being in any way responsible in this very vital national affair?
I accept that.
It is now well beyond the time that the thing should have been settled and finished one way or the other because the cattle herd of the country is at stake?
It is always the easiest thing in the world to settle strikes if one is prepared to give in to small groups in powerful positions.
Would the Minister accept that some months ago, in an effort to co-operate and assist in the matter to which he is now referring, I suggested that he ask the vets to resume duty and that he would appoint an independent arbitrator to adjudicate on the case? Even now the Minister should consider doing that. I do not know whether the vets would be as amenable to that proposition now as they would have been then. It is the only way in which the problem can be resolved and, possibly, the fairest way.
I refuse to hand over my responsibilities to anybody.
Would the Minister accept that in normal circumstances where there is something at issue between, shall we say, the employer and a group of employees, the normal manner in which the problem is resolved is to have it adjudicated upon by an independent arbitrator?
All I can say is that I had the farming organisations sit in on the discussion with the veterinary profession.
That has been going on for months.
And that did not reap results.
Could the Minister say what efforts he intends making in the near future to reach a solution of this problem and how soon he might expect such a solution?
I would expect the Deputy and everybody else concerned in the country to use whatever influence they have with the veterinary profession to change their views.
Could the Minister tell us what he is doing?
Question No. 17.
I have done all the moving.
(Interruptions.)
This is vital——
We have made very little progress at Question Time today. There are a large number of questions still remaining on the Order Paper.
The Minister showed his hand, vitally I think, in saying that this party should use its influence to make the vets change. This is reminiscent of an attitude on the Minister's part that simply will not work. There will have to be a compromise.
The Deputy knows that I have made all the compromises, all the moves and the vets have not moved an inch.