asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he proposes to take to accelerate disease eradication to qualify for the promised European Community aid.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Disease Eradication .
26.
: My Department's plans to accelerate the eradication of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis were forwarded to the EEC Commission for consideration in accordance with the terms of the relevant Council directive. The plans are being examined by the Commission and its appropriate committees. One committee has already given a favourable opinion on the plans and I am hopeful that they will receive final clearance later this month.
: Could the Minister say when these plans were forwarded and give an indication of what they contain?
: It is a comprehensive scheme of eradication, the acceleration of our existing eradication schemes both in brucellosis and tuberculosis. They were forwarded to Brussels in the last couple of months. I cannot give the precise date but if the Deputy had any reason for wanting it I can tell him by letter or by answering a specific parliamentary question.
: Do the proposals involve, as well as including an additional county a substantial acceleration of the pre-intensive brucellosis scheme?
: The recent inclusion in the clearance area of County Kerry is only one feature of the brucellosis eradication scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that there was a great need to tighten up enforcement of the existing regulations. New regulations will also be introduced. It is quite impossible at Question Time to give any kind of comprehensive picture of the accelerated scheme, such as has been presented to the Commission.
: Is the Minister prepared to make public the proposals made?
: Yes. There is no reason whatever that we should not make this public. There would need to be a really public facing of the dimensions of the problem.
: Will the Minister state why it has taken more than a year to meet the conditions laid down by the EEC with regard to disease eradication in order to qualify for aid?
: I was not aware that it had taken a great deal longer than a year. I have devoted much personal attention to the question of animal disease. The Deputy will appreciate this was crying out for attention when this Government took office——
: It is still crying out for attention.
: Since that time we have had indications of a marked improvement——
: It was not as a result of any work by the Minister.
: It is worth recording that during the period of office of the former Government the disease status of our cattle collapsed and when we came to office we were faced with a chaotic situation.
: What has happened to the cattle rustlers?
: The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.