asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the reasons for the restriction on the movement of hatching eggs, day-old chicks and poultry in districts far removed from the recent outbreak of fowl pest.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictions following Fowl Pest Outbreak.
The reason was to prevent this very dangerous and highly infectious disease from spreading throughout the country and ruining the poultry industry.
The area declared on 24th January to be an infected area was chosen after very careful deliberation and in the light of expert veterinary advice. In view of the number of outbreaks and the known movements of poultry and poultry dealers from the vicinity of the outbreaks to other districts, the gravest risks would have been run if a smaller area had been declared.
Following a detailed survey of the area and as a result of the work done by my veterinary officers in coping with the disease, it was found possible to reduce the extent of the infected area on 9th February.
Fortunately the co-operation of all services dealing with this emergency combined with the co-operative attitude of the people generally has so far improved the situation that I have been able on advice further to reduce the area of the restrictions, and to-day I have made an Order to that effect, full details of which will be published to-morrow.