asked the Minister for Agriculture if his Department have formulated any proposals to bring the statutory control of sheep dipping within the functions of his Department and/or the Animal Health Council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep Dipping.
4.
The statutory control of sheep dipping is already a function of my Department under section 35 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966. Responsibility for the execution and enforcement of the sheep dipping orders made under the Act rests, however, with the various local authorities and it is not proposed to change that position.
As regards the Advisory Council on Animal Health and Disease Eradication, it is within the functions of the council to make recommendations to me on matters relating to sheep scab but there can be no question of giving the council statutory powers.
County councils are responsible for enforcing the sheep dipping regulations but the Department are responsible for the placing of Department rams. Allegations have been made in the west that the Department are responsible for the spread of sheep scab. I sent in a question in relation to this matter and I am surprised it is not on the Order Paper. This is a serious matter in the west. The sheep dipping regulations were carried out rigidly by the county councils but yet there is a lot of sheep scab.
The regulations must be carried out rigidly by the county councils and we have no information to the contrary. The Department issue instructions to councils to carry out these regulations.
I did not say that county councils do not carry out the regulations but I should like to know what effort is being made to trace the source of sheep scab in the west. Allegations have been made that the Department are responsible. I am not accusing the Department but there is substantial proof that it was caused by rams sent down by the Department.
The Deputy is raising the matter of sheep scab which is different from the question.
We are anxious to eradicate sheep scab and we have taken all necessary precautions to do so.
5.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the same system of sheep dipping will be allowed in 1977 as was in operation prior to last year as many farmers consider that the June and July dipping was much more successful than one dipping in the month of October or November.
It has been established that the mite which causes sheep scab does not generally become active until late autumn and winter and that the only effective way to control the disease is to have all sheep dipped at that time. Summer dipping was not effective in controlling sheep scab and so I do not propose to revert to that system. Farmers are of course free to dip their sheep in summer if they so desire but this will not relieve them of the obligation to carry out the statutory winter dipping.
Many farmers were surprised at the changes that took place because dipping which was carried out in June or July was brought forward. Dipping in those months ensured that there were no attacks on sheep by maggots and so on. Many farmers were satisfied with the double dipping system because it served a dual purpose.
There is nothing to preclude any farmer from dipping his sheep in June if he so desires. A special committee of the Department of Agriculture set up in 1973 suggested the change in the regulations. The regulations were changed with the consent of farming organisations. Farmers have agreed with the present system.
I agree that winter dipping is essential for the control of scab but farmers must dip their sheep in summer time to avoid maggots. I was informed by the Minister that further investigations would be carried out to see if sheep should be dipped in September also. When these regulations were being reviewed January was even suggested for dipping, the most ridiculous suggestion ever put on paper.
A question, please. I must ask Deputies to have regard to the rules governing Question Time. We must proceed by way of supplementary question; no speeches.
Under the present regulations sheep must be dipped between 1st October and 31st January.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that many sheep farmers dip their flocks only once, and would he make it compulsory on them to do it twice?
A farmer is complying with the regulations if he dips his sheep between 31st October and 31st January. If he wishes to do it in June as well as he will provided with the facilities.