Vol. 317 No. 9
andMr. Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture if facilities of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories will be used to test blood samples for brucellosis to relieve pressure on the Central Laboratory thereby giving results more quickly to farmers and ensuring a better eradication programme.
272.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons he has not established testing facilities for the brucellosis eradication scheme at all regional veterinary laboratories.
273.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the Brucellosis Free Certificates which in many instances are not reaching herd owners in the South West Cork area within the required period of 30 days and the steps he proposes to take to remedy this problem.
274.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory operation of the 30-day test for cattle due to delays in returning results of the tests to farmers.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 271, 272, 273 and 274 together.
The issue of brucellosis test results was, for a period, taking longer than normal, but that situation has now been overcome as a result of better arrangements for the delivery and handling of samples. A new blood testing laboratory will be set up in Cork as soon as possible. In the meantime I am arranging to expand the limited testing facilities hitherto available at the Sligo laboratory and I am currently examining the feasibility of providing some facilities at the other regional laboratories. The provision of such facilities would necessitate the erection of additional buildings at these laboratories as the existing accommodation is in all cases fully taxed to cater for the services now being provided in them.
275.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will arrange to have a district veterinary office built near Enniscorthy, County Wexford, in view of the long delays and the inconvenience being caused in connection with the eradication of brucellosis and tuberculosis schemes.
Earlier this year I decided that a district veterinary office should be established in County Wexford. Possible locations for the office are currently being considered.
