asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries how much has been spent to date of the amount provided under Subhead C.4 of the 1971-72 Estimates for his Department on the provision of sheep dipping baths; how the money was spent; and if the results were satisfactory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep Dipping.
8.
The amount spent up to today is £3,770 approximately. It has been paid to six county councils by way of grants towards the cost of erection of public sheep dipping baths.
Since this expenditure assisted in the provision of efficient sheep dipping facilities in areas where they were needed the results must be regarded as satisfactory.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider it satisfactory in view of the fact that no progress has been made in eliminating sheep scab which is the disease the dipping procedure is intended to eliminate, and that the incidence is just as bad as it was at the turn of the century?
I do not agree that no real progress has been made. The Deputy may be assuming this from the fact that the number of cases reported has not declined. As a matter of fact, it has increased. It must be taken into consideration that the detection methods have improved considerably in recent years and that has a bearing on the fact that the rate has not declined.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that this is an eradication scheme and, as such, it is not effecting eradication?
The Deputy will appreciate that sheep dipping is a statutory requirement but that the full implementation of it depends on energetic enforcement by the local authorities and as far as I am aware there is enforcement by the local authorities. It will be realised also that the full co-operation of sheep owners is essential.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, from evidence of many countries, this is, in fact, an eradicable disease? Therefore, would he not further agree that it is desirable, especially if we are going into the EEC, but in all circumstance it is desirable, to make a vigorous effort which one knows will be of limited duration in order to get rid of the disease completely? Would he not also agree that the figures on the incidence of scab in this country do not substantiate his argument that real progress is being made in eradication?
As I have said, the detection methods have improved considerably. The payments under the sheep subsidy schemes mean that now many more sheep are being brought down from the mountain than in previous years. We are in a position to know now how significant the numbers of cases really are. We are dealing with the problem to the best of our ability.