asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has investigated the successful American approach to disease eradication in cattle by a national vaccination programme for brucellosis, thereby ending the mass slaughter of breeding stock; and, if not, whether he will have such a study carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Disease Eradication.
28.
I am aware that vaccination is used extensively for the control of brucellosis in America. However, control of the disease is not the same as eradicating it and I am satisfied that eradication can be achieved only by the removal and slaughter of infected animals.
Could the Minister tell the House what new measures he proposes in these disease eradication schemes?
We propose to continue with the disease eradication schemes as they are at the moment.
Is the Minister considering measures such as changes in the 30-day regulations, pre-movement and pre-exports tests?
As pointed out in the Government's programme, we will investigate the possibility of moving to a 60-day pre-movement test in the case of animals for movement within the State. We have pointed out equally that this would be subject to the overriding need to maintain access to export markets where a 30-day test is compulsory.
With respect to the Minister, what he and his programme have said is that they will introduce immediately 60-day tests for internal movement but maintain the 30-day test for export. That is what the Minister has said and that is what his programme clearly outlines. Is he now telling the House that it is not possible for him to implement the proposal which only a week ago he himself confirmed that he would be introducing?
For the information of the Deputy I will read the paragraph in the Government programme concerning this matter.
Which one?
The Government programme 1981-86. The paragraph reads: "Subject to the overriding need to maintain access to export markets the period of the 30-day pre-movement test for brucellosis and TB will be extended to 60 days for animals sold within the State. The 30-day period will apply to animals for export."
Is the Minister saying now that what is in his programme he finds in one short week is impossible to implement?
We will implement the programme. We will have regard to the necessity to maintain access to export markets. We will implement a 60-day pre-movement test within the State if it proves, as we hope it will, that that does not create any complication in relation to the export side.
Has the Minister found on the examination of this question in the course of the last ten days that the veterinary experts in his own Department and in Brussels would accept that it is possible to have two different types of tests in this country, one for export and one for internal movement?
That question is currently under examination. When we have completed that examination we will make a statement saying precisely what we intend to do in the matter of implementing this commitment.
Arising from the Minister's reply——
A final supplementary.
——he has misled the farming community in thinking that it was simply a question of getting into office and changing from the 30-day test to the 60-day test and he now finds that it is not possible to do so.
I am not admitting any such thing. I am simply drawing attention to the fact that the beginning of the paragraph and the commitment clearly states that we have regard to the overriding need to maintain our access to export markets.
I think you will agree, Deputy MacSharry, that I have been very generous in allowing supplementary questions. I will allow one more.
Can the Minister say when he will finally and conclusively have his examination completed by the experts here and in Brussels and be able to give an opinion on what is a very important question concerning the farming community? I have dealt with it myself and I know the problems. When will he be able to inform the House and the farming community as to the possibility of introducing such a scheme?
I cannot commit myself to any precise date. However, we will communicate that information to the House and to the farming community at the earliest possible moment.
Does the Minister believe that there should be two different standards of TB and brucellosis testing, one for export and one for the home market? Does he believe that farmers here should have a different standard from standards maintained by other farmers throughout Europe, I mean in Northern Ireland and in Britain?
It is not a question of two different standards for testing. It is a matter of the period within which the result of the test can be regarded as being valid. We are not talking about two different standards.
Does the Minister believe that cattle whose tests have expired and who are not suitable for export are suitable for moving on to other farms?
As I said, it is not a matter of different standards of health as far as cattle are concerned——
What else is it?
For export purposes we are required, under an accelerated disease eradication programme which was agreed in Brussels during the term of office of the previous Government, to have animals tested within 30 days of movement if they are going outside the country.