asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a new round of brucellosis testing will take place; its likely cost in 1990; the number of herds at present depopulated; and the number of restricted herds and total number of brucellosis reactors identified in the national herd from 1985 to 1989, inclusive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Testing.
9.
I am informed by the director of ERAD that the ERAD Board have been considering the most appropriate programme of measures for 1990 to bring about the final eradication of brucellosis from the national herd and, in this regard, that the board will shortly be making recommendations to me.
In addition the director of ERAD has advised me as follows. In the course of 1989, to date, 135 herds have been depopulated for brucellosis. At the end of the 1985-86 testing programme in April 1986 there were 368 herds restricted with brucellosis. The corresponding figures for the end of December 1987 and 1988 were 181 herds and 209 herds, respectively. There are at present 263 herds restricted with brucellosis. These figures do not give an accurate reflection of the level of the disease in the country. For example, of the 263 herds at present restricted only 14 are considered to harbour active infection.
The numbers of brucellosis reactors slaughtered in the period are as follows: 1985, 5,175; 1986, 8,544; 1987, 7,128; 1988, 5,947; 1989(to date), 8,510.
The Minister's reply certainly shows that the graph is going the wrong way. The incidence of disease is increasing. After the Glenstal stall, if I can put it that way, the Minister announced that there was going to be a national round of brucellosis testing. I understand that it has not started yet. When is that going to start and what will it cost?
The board of ERAD recently decided that full brucellosis blood testing of all animals in the national herd would be conducted in 1990 to accelerate the eradication of the disease and thus maintain the officially brucellosis free status of the national herd.
What will it cost?
I understand the cost is £35.585 million for the entire programme.
Obviously that is the total cost for both brucellosis and TB. I understand that the cost of the brucellosis test is being deducted from the reactor price and that is why there is a reduction in reactor prices. I would like the Minister to comment on that. My understanding is that the funding of the brucellosis round of testing is coming on the backs of farmers who have reactor cattle to sell.
I have no information to that effect. The information I have is that the entire disease eradication programme is costing £35.585 million.
Did the Minister not reduce the grants?
The figures the Minister has given us would indicate that there is an increase in the period he has referred to. Would the Minister consider the restriction or licensing the movement of all cattle? This was raised generally during the debate of ERAD funding. Perhaps the Minister could give us a specific reply as to the Government's intentions in that regard?
In 1989 a number of special measures were introduced to reduce further those herds acting as a residual source of brucellosis. Those included the depopulation of all herds infected, the introduction of bulk milk ring testing over the winter months, a programme of more active blood testing and the designation of brucellosis black spots in a number of areas as well as a more rigorous tracing régime of animals sold out of herds prior to the disease being detected.
That would mean the licence would have to be received before cattle could be moved and we are well aware of the large number of movements between birth and slaughter. Will the licence be required?
We are having a statement from the Deputy instead of questions.
The Minister was specifically dealing with the question. It is not a separate question. I do not agree with your ruling, if you make that ruling.
Is the Deputy making an accusation against the Chair?
I am saying I do not agree with your ruling, if you are making that ruling.
What ruling, Deputy?
The ruling that it is a separate question. It is not at all a separate question. The Minister was in the process of answering it.
I have given the Deputy some latitude for his questions, but he may not make statements.
Will the Minister confirm that the cost of this new round of brucellosis testing is derived from the savings that are being made as a result of the reduction of reactor grants under the TB eradication scheme?
Answer that one straight, Minister.
I have no information to that effect.
You should have.
Has the Minister no responsibility?
The answer is yes. It is as simple as that.