asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Crowley system of reactor collection could be extended throughout the country and be made mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Reactor Collection Service.
6.
The arrangements introduced last October, under which my Department provide support for the reactor collection service operated by the South Western Cattle Breeding Society Ltd. in association with Ballyclough Co-operative Creamery Ltd., in County Cork, were part of a special programme to bring about a significant reduction in the level of bovine TB in the county. The various elements of the programme which, I am pleased to say, has been a considerable success to date will be reviewed later this year. Whether the arrangements can be extended to other counties will depend on a number of factors, notably the experience in Cork and the existence of proposals from farming organisations or co-operative societies to establish a comparable service elsewhere. I do not mind giving credit to the former Minister, Deputy Hegarty, for setting up this arrangement which is working very well.
In the context of the disease eradication scheme, will the Minister consider making the Crowley collection system mandatory?
As far as extending the scheme is concerned, the initiative should rest with farming organisations and co-operatives. I know that already a number of co-operatives have had discussions with the Department to establish such a service.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 57.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Does the Minister accept that, in the light of the very obvious success of the Crowley system, it is incumbent on the Department to initiate urgent discussions with co-operatives all over the country with a view to having a similar type of system established in all areas?
A degree of confidence is necessary for the success of this scheme. As the Deputy is aware, court proceedings in relation to this scheme are listed for October. A review of the scheme is taking place and it would be better, in relation to its extension, for the farming organisations and co-operatives to come forward with their proposals.
Does the Minister accept that there is an urgent need for decisions from the Government on how the TB eradication scheme is to be managed? The Minister is probably aware that I made certain proposals in this regard.
The Department are involved in consultations with the various interested parties in relation to improving the system because everybody accepts that the matter has gone on long enough and that the results are not as good as they should have been. I accept that better management is required. I read the Deputy's document with great interest. In fact, I had expected to get a complimentary copy of it, but that did not arrive.
I shall arrange for that. I have no objection to the document being taken on board fully by the Government.
We would take it into account if we had a copy of it.