asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in how many cases have proceedings been instituted against owners of unlicensed bulls since the putting into operation of the Live Stock Breeding Act, 1925; how many convictions resulted in such cases, and whether the Minister can state whether the "Scrub Bull" has been definitely eliminated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unlicensed Bulls.
Mr. Hogan
Since the putting into operation of the Live Stock Breeding Act, proceedings were insitituted by the Department in 336 cases. In 306 cases convictions were obtained, and in nine other cases the defendants were dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act. I am satisfied that bulls that would bring about deterioration in the national herds are no longer used; but as the standard can be raised only gradually, some time must necessarily elapse before all the bulls licensed are such as will result in a marked improvement in live stock generally. A definite improvement in this matter has, however, been already secured as a result of the administration of the Act.
The Minister is, I suppose, aware that that is not the opinion of the Cork Farmers' Union.
Mr. Hogan
I am not aware of that. I am aware that it is the opinion of everybody who knows anything about the matter.