There have been two Bills already dealing with this subject. The first, passed in 1928, provided for a fund to be created by levies on cattle, sheep and pigs exported. Out of that fund compensation was provided for exporters whose cattle were slaughtered or detained at British landing places. It was provided that if the fund should reach £40,000, and if the trustees were of opinion that that was sufficient, that the levies might then be suspended. As a matter of fact, no levies have been paid since 1934 as the fund has reached the stated amount. The second Act was brought in in 1932. It extends the principle of compensation to live stock in respect of which, though not slaughtered or detained at British landing places, the exporters had incurred certain losses due to lairage or feeding charges during the additional period of detection, owing to an outbreak, or a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease. This Bill further provides for loss due to depreciation arising from detention beyond the normal period. It proposes to make the payments in these cases retrospective from the 1st October, 1936. There are some cases outstanding which are considered to be cases of hardship. I should say that the fund is administered by the cattle exporters themselves. The levies are collected by the cattle trade, and the fund is administered by it. There is no contribution whatever from State funds. I am bringing in the Bill at the request of the cattle trade, and I am asking the Seanad to pass it.
Slaughtered and Detained Animals (Compensation) (No. 2) Bill, 1938—Second Stage.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
Question put and agreed to.
Agreed: That the remaining stages of the Bill be taken now.