asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is intended to introduce compulsory summer sheep dipping, in view of the serious incidence of sheep scab in the southern counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Summer Sheep Dipping.
41.
Expert veterinary advice on this subject is that the mite which causes sheep scab does not become generally active until the late autumn or winter and that the only effective way to control the disease is to have compulsory dipping in that period. It was for that reason that the twice-annual compulsory dipping régime which was in operation up to 1976 was discontinued and replaced by a single dipping period from mid-September to the end of January. I have no plans at present to alter this arrangement.
By virtue of Article 16 (1) of the Sheep Dipping Order, 1965, each local authority is empowered to impose a compulsory summer dipping in the area under its jurisdiction if it is of the opinion that such a course is desirable.
Is the Minister satisfied with the enforcement of the autumn and winter dipping?
I have no reason to believe that the enforcement is unsatisfactory, but the incidence of outbreaks of sheep scab is very unsatisfactory, and I would urge the authorities whose business it is to enforce this regulation to be vigilant about it because it involves the health of the national sheep flock, which is rather depleted in numbers.
Would the Minister agree that it is somewhat anomalous that it should be county councils that have otherwise very little to do with agriculture who are responsible for the enforcement of this regulation? Would it not be more appropriate if the Minister's Department or, alternatively, the county committees of agriculture had this responsibility?
It may well be that a better means of enforcing the law and procuring the universal treatment of sheep would be available. I shall inquire into the Deputy's suggestion. If I am correct in understanding him to be suggesting that this should be centrally controlled by the Department of Agriculture, I shall certainly look into that.