asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give the following details regarding the TB eradication scheme in the State as follows: (1) the types and strength and names of all vaccines being used in the eradication scheme and their success rate or otherwise; (2) the different interpretations being put on the readings of already vaccinated animals when they are checked; the reasons for this; and if all these readings are in line with EC regulations; (3) the areas of the country that have been designated disease-free, and the areas that are still severely infected with disease; (4) the areas of the country where intensive testing has already commenced; and the success rate of this; (5) the total amount of money available in 1985 for TB eradication; and the relevant amount of this figure that is available for reactor compensation; if he will increase the amount of reactor compensation to take account of severe hardship and young stock; (6) the number of occasions in which wildlife have died from TB in this country; and if he will accept that these animals are carriers of this disease; the number of licences requested by his Department for the extermination of these wild animal carriers; (7) when he proposes to set up the epidemiology unit; its location; the amount of money available for this unit; and (8) the total number of registered veterinary surgeons in the country; the total number of registered herdowners in the country; the total number of bovines in the country; the total number of civil servants involved in the disease section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on each of these matters.
Written Answers. - TB Eradication Scheme.
583.
It was not possible in the time available to assemble the very detailed information required to answer the whole range of questions asked by the Deputy. I shall, however, write to the Deputy within a few days.