asked the Minister for Agriculture his position on farmers who turn out stock on undivided commonages due to there not being sufficient fodder to maintain them on land where such farmers are awaiting a second 30 day pre-movement test as a result of some of their stock having been confirmed as TB cases; and if he considers such action would lead to the spread of TB among cattle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Commonage Grazing.
31.
There is a clear risk of disease spread if disease-free stock come in contact, on commonages, with animals from a herd where TB is confirmed. All stock from a TB infected herd must therefore be kept out of contact with other animals until the herd is declared to be free of the disease as a result of further testing.
I am quite sure the Minister of State is as well aware of this problem as I am. Would he agree that farmers in western areas are being forced in some cases to put cattle out on undivided commonages? Would he further agree that the very fact that there is a danger of spreading disease makes a cast-iron case for the division of these undivided commonages even where there are objections?
I agree that there is a problem in the west where commonages are a common feature of the land structure. The ultimate solution would be the division of those commonages. I realise that the movement of cattle creates hardship but that will have to be accepted in order to get rid of this disease. It is one of the sacrifices that have to be made.
Would the Minister of State ask his Minister to look into the problems that arise in relation to the division of commonages where the vast majority of the tenants want the area divided and there are only one or two objectors?
I will do that. I already have a number of representations from the Deputy's own consistuency where there seems to be a particular problem in relation to the division of commonages.
Can the Minister of State say whether all the owners must consent in order to divide the commonages?
The consent of all the owners has to be got.
Does the Minister of State not think that some legislation should be introduced whereby commonages can be divided where the majority of owners are anxious to have this done?
I would certainly like to see something like that being done. I do not know if it is possible under the forthcoming legislation.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister of State satisfied that he is correct in saying that the consent of all the owners of commonage is necessary? Is it not a fact that there are compulsory powers?
There are compulsory powers and I presume Deputy Fitzpatrick, having spent so many years in the Land Commission, knows this better than anybody, but in most cases that I know—and I am speaking in particular about the small commonages in the west where there are ten or 12 farms involved—the consent of at least the majority of those farmers has to be got before the Land Commission can do anything.
Is it sufficient that a majority should consent?
I am not quite sure about that.
We are getting into a discussion on land division and the question related to commonages.
Will the Minister of State have the legal position in relation to it examined in the context of the Land Bill which has been promised before the end of this year?
Yes, I can do that.
Is it not right to say that the Department of Fisheries and Forestry operate compulsory purchase systems so far as commanages are concerned?
I understand they do.
Is it not possible to transfer these powers to the ordinary individual?
I do not have that information. The question deals with the eradication of TB.
We are getting into a debate on the fencing of commonages.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister of State aware that, in regard to the fencing of commonages, between 1973 and 1976 there was an unprecedented number of commonages divided in County Mayo? Can he tell me if the good work is being kept up?
Yes, it is.