asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he is satisfied with progress generally being made in the eradication of brucellosis; and if, in particular, he is satisfied with the position obtaining in County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Eradication.
III.
The present position regarding the eradication of brucellosis is that Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan and Sligo have been declared brucellosis free and compulsory eradication measures are in operation in Counties Clare, Galway, Longford, Louth, Meath, Roscommon and Westmeath, in north-west Offaly and in that part of County Limerick west of the Shannon.
Good progress has been and is being made in the eradication of the disease in the counties I mention but even in the declared brucellosis free areas, such as County Donegal, the situation must of course be carefully watched all the time to ensure that the disease free status is being maintained. It is well known that the main problem areas are in the south and I will not be fully satisfied until the task of eradication is completed there also.
Is the Minister aware of the incidence of brucellosis in County Donegal in the recent past and would it be fair to say that that incidence is probably as high today as it was before there was any eradication scheme when we were one of the lowest, if not the lowest, in brucellosis incidence? Would the Minister agree that the factors that have contributed to the serious outbreaks that have arisen and which render it necessary to have a tightening up, is the movement of cattle both from the south and from the north-east? There is said to be a racket in it and I am afraid it is having bad effects.
The Deputy is right in saying that there is what I would describe as smuggling into Donegal from areas which are not free, but it is a very difficult matter. There is a lot of switching of tabs. I have gone to a considerable amount of trouble, with experts in the Department, to see if it is possible to get a foolproof tag but so far it has not been found possible. However, the position in Donegal is not as bad as Deputy Blaney's statement might give people to think. In all, in County Donegal there are only 35 herds restricted and as the Deputy will agree there is an enormous number of herds in the county.
The incidence in County Donegal may be low from a national point of view, but the incidence at the moment is not a great improvement, if an improvement at all, on what it was when the eradication scheme was initiated. The outbreak I have referred to is of a most virulent type which has wiped out complete herds and which is being brought in, I have no doubt, not only by smuggled herds but also by cross-Border trade.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.