asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the importance of the sheep industry, he will state whether his Department expect to be able to produce a foolproof means of identifying sheep that have been dipped in accordance with the law.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep Industry.
33.
No foolproof and otherwise acceptable means of identifying sheep which have been dipped has yet been found. The problem is being kept under constant review by my Department but no early solution is expected.
Would the Minister investigate having September, if possible, included for scab dipping? The dipping has run late and the frost came in. Although a lot of sheep were dipped the Minister must be aware that there may be sheep which are not dipped yet. The sheep farmers are objecting to the dipping being so late in the year. Would the Minister find out more about how early the winter dipping can be started to be effective for scab?
I am sure the Deputy knows that there has been considerable discussion about this. The feeling of the veterinary people in the Department is that unless this dipping takes place during the winter months it is not effective. I believe it is considered that September is a bit early to be effective and that if advantage was taken of September on a wide scale it would not have the effect it is intended to have on scab.
Could the Minister do a further check on that?
Yes.
Would the Minister concede that, in the first place the weather conditions are quite unsuitable in December? In any event, all of the ewe flock are heavy in lamb at that time of the year and it is looking for trouble to handle them roughly. Therefore, is it not absolutely necessary that some method other than winter dipping will have to be found for the elimination of scab?
A lot of consideration has been given to this problem by the veterinary experts and they have come to the conclusion that summer dipping is quite useless in relation to scab and that only the winter dipping is important. Heretofore there were two dipping periods, summer and winter, and now there is one. I have to be advised by veterinary experts in this matter.
The Minister said that as far as scab is concerned summer dipping was useless. Has the summer dipping any other good effect?
It is good for fly killing.
Would the Minister consider reintroducing a second dipping, because most of the producers are dissatisfied with single dipping in regard to maggots?
There is nothing to prevent them from summer dipping. That is their own affair. It has nothing to do with scab.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.