Vol. 456 No. 7
135 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether there has been an increased level of sheep scab in flocks this year; and whether the element of compulsion in respect of sheep-dipping should be restored rather than resting the onus primarily on individual producers in view of the effects of this horrifying disease. [14685/95]
To date in 1995 a total of 28 confirmed sheep scab outbreaks have been reported to my Department as compared with a total of 56 for the year 1994. Since the abolition of compulsory sheep dipping there have been unverified reports of a rise in the incidence of sheep scab. I have, accordingly, introduced a confidential phone-line service to assist with the reporting of suspected outbreaks.
While the onus rests on individual flockowners to protect their sheep against scab, I have introduced a package of measures, following consultation with flockowner representatives, to highlight the need to control and eradicate the disease. I shall keep the eradication programme under constant review. It is important to note that sheep scab is still a notifiable disease and outbreaks must be dealt with by compulsory treatment of the affected and contiguous flocks until the outbreak is controlled.
