asked the Minister for Agriculture the progress which has been made in the past 12 months in the elimination of bovine TB from the cattle herd; if he will say when it is likely that the cattle herd will be declared free of bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disease Eradication.
15.
Following the introduction of a number of improved procedures in the TB eradication scheme in 1985, an intensive round of testing commenced last June as part of a fresh drive against the disease. In addition to a full monitor of the entire national herd, the round, which is scheduled to continue until 23 March, involved a special testing programme in all counties with particular attention to counties with the most serious infection levels. The result of this intensified activity is that by the end of the current round the national herd will, on average, have been tested one and a half times and, in badly affected areas, many herds will have been tested twice.
Disease prevalence levels since the beginning of the round point to important progress. By the end of October, prevalence levels had peaked at 7,128 herds restricted; there has since been a significant improvement to the point where there are now about 5,700 herds locked up due to TB.
Given the unpredictable nature of disease, it would be presumptuous to speculate as to when the national herd will be entirely free of TB. I believe, however, that the current round has shown that significant inroads can be made against the disease and that we can achieve worthwhile results in the badly infected areas over the remainder of the year.
The Minister referred to the number of herds affected. What is the reduction comparatively in the prevalence figure? The last figure I had was in respect of 1983, 2.33. Has that been reduced? Would the Minister say also if there has been a reduction effected as a result of the new methods? Has there been a reduction in the payments to vets which averaged £9 million a year over the past five years, that is, approximately £9,000 per vet?
That is certainly a separate question. The figures I have given the House, showing a drop from 7,100 to 5,700 from October up to a few weeks ago, are terribly significant.
(Limerick West): First, I want to thank you, A Cheann Comhairle, and the Minister for allowing me an opportunity to ask supplementaries.
In view of the increased contribution by farmers — when they have continued to double their contribution for a further 12 months — bearing in mind also the Government commitment in their document Building on Reality: 1985-1987 and the reduction this year of approximately £4 million for disease eradication, would the Minister agree with me that the position is now so serious that the moneys expended last year might as well not have been spent unless we continue to attack disease, positively, particularly bovine TB with all the necessary resources being made available for that purpose? How does the Minister intend doing so?
The Deputy quite clearly remembers what I said in the House less than an hour ago, that was, that I would see to it that we would get the money necessary to complete a full round of testing in the current year. I made that point clearly, that I would see we got the money some way or another, come hell or high water.
(Limerick West): I was talking about from the end of March onwards.
The current round does not finish until end March; it is from there on that we will be engaging in the next full round of testing. The other point I want to make is that there is not an increased contribution by the farmers. We did promise that we would cut their contribution. We were unable to fulfil that promise because of the state of finances. Therefore, it is not an increased contribution. It is one at the same rate as last year.
(Limerick West): Can the Minister give a definite commitment to this House that he will continue the same type of funding for the next round beginning 1 April next as for the current year?
I said earlier I could not give a definite commitment. I said I would do everything in my power to see that it was done and I intend to do so.
(Limerick West): The Minister can give no commitment. Would the Minister not agree with me that, unless that commitment is forthcoming, the moneys spent last year might as well not have been spent at all?
Certainly not. The results I have already indicated speak for themselves.
(Limerick West): It is important to continue that impetus.
I am well aware of the importance of continuing it.
I want to thank the Minister for his commitment. Is the Minister aware that district veterinary offices have been notified of their allocation this year that, in one instance, the allocation required was £210,000 for a round of testing and that the allocation received from the Department was £30,000, which will cover only one-seventh of the herds? It will hardly cover the reactors in the particular district veterinary area?
In reply to an earlier question I gave the figures. We have allocated this year £24,500,000. What we think we need to do the full round of testing is approximately £29 million. I can assure the House that I will endeavour to get that extra money come hell or high water.
So that there will be a full round of testing?
That is my intention. I have no intention of allowing the good work done to slide backwards.
That is not the situation that has obtained on the ground over the last year.
Where is the Minister going to get the extra money?
Does the money worry the Deputy?
(Limerick West): The Minister of State should look after Tuam.
From the Minister's reply it appears there has been a very significant increase in the level of activity. Would the Minister confirm that this has meant a considerable increase in costs, or whether he has been able to maintain costs at the previous level? Has there been a significant increase in costs as a result of increased activity?
Yes, undoubtedly there has been an increase in the cost but it is money well spent. The amount spent in 1985 was £28,500,000.
Does the Minister see an end, say, in a year, two years or five years?
If we continue testing at the present rate I would expect to see the incidence of bovine TB as low as 1 per cent in two years time.
That is progress.
Provided the impetus is continued.
Those figures indicate that the trend is being maintained.
Something no other Government ever did.
(Interruptions.)