Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Wexford Livestock Deaths.

Ivan Yates

Question:

164 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if, in view of the exceptional and the worsening circumstances relating to the disease problems on the farm of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, the steps, if any, he will take to establish the exact cause of the livestock deaths; the level of compensation that might be made available to the farmer in view of his financial hardship; and the conclusions that have been reached by the veterinary section of his Department as to the cause of these disease problems.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I have no funds at my disposal out of which financial assistance could be given to cover losses of animals in the circumstances of this case.

My Department's Veterinary Laboratory Service has carried out examinations of animals from the farm in question and no evidence of the suspected condition — BVD virus — was located nor was any other condition identified.

I am arranging for the Regional Veterinary Laboratory to contact the veterinary practitioner involved to discuss the situation in more detail.