asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the considerable losses being experienced by sheep farmers in western Ireland as a result of sheep being dipped too late in the year, he will consider an earlier date for the commencement of dipping.
Written Answers. - Sheep Dipping Date.
286.
I do not accept the Deputy's contention about losses due to late sheep dipping. The purpose of statutory sheep dipping as prescribed under the Sheep Dipping Order, 1965, is to control and ultimately eradicate sheep scab. It has been established that the mite which causes scab does not generally become active until the late autumn or winter months and experience here and in other countries has shown that the only way to control the disease is to have all sheep dipped at that time. The order accordingly provides that dipping must be carried out between 15 September and 31 January or during such period within those dates as may be prescribed by the local authority to be the dipping period for sheep within its functional area.
I am satisfied that the dipping requirement can be met without risk to sheep flocks and it is not intended, therefore, to fix an earlier date for the commencement of dipping.