asked the Minister for Agriculture if he had a report compiled on the amount of damage caused to the national herd by the disruption of animal disease testing as a result of the dispute with the Irish Veterinary Association, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Animal Disease Testing.
11.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the dispute with the Irish Veterinary Union. I have not had a report on the lines referred to by the Deputy compiled and I do not accept the implication in his question that damage has necessarily been caused to the national herd. The level of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis is being monitored according as the current round of testing progresses, but it is still too early in the round to form any conclusion as to disease incidence in the country as a whole.
A few months had elapsed since the resumption of the testing. Does the Minister not think it would help to reassure the farming community if he could give them a soundly-based report on the position? Does he not consider that testing has been resumed for a sufficiently long period to be able to compile a report? It would be better to have a factual report on the matter rather than some of the scare reports we have had regarding the high incidence of disease since the resumption of the testing.
The veterinary people in the Department of Agriculture tell me it is much too early to form an opinion or a judgment as to the disease level.
Does the Minister not agree that testing has been resumed in most areas? Surely it should be possible to have the tests examined on a county-to-county basis and to compile a report? Disease eradication is one of the greatest problems at present. The Department should be tackling it at all levels rather than waiting for a year's testing before the report is compiled.
At least six months testing is needed to give anything like a reliable report. The veterinary people in the Department who are qualified tell me it is not possible to do so now. It would only be a misleading report.
Surely the Minister is aware of the very high incidence of brucellosis in the west? Even without a report, surely the Minister is getting enough feedback about the situation?
What information there is indicates that there is a drop in the incidence of brucellosis. That is why I do not want to give information at this time because it could be misleading.
Will the Minister state how it was possible for the Department to state that they could not give an indication of the level of disease?
They simply stated that one could be unfortunate enough to come on herds with a high incidence or a low incidence of disease in view of the amount of testing done at the moment. It could give a wrong picture on the national scale.
When will the Minister be able to give us a report?
I imagine in about six months.
Six months from now?
No, from the time we start the testing.