asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of meetings of the Cattle Advisory Committee in 1979 and to date in 1980; the composition and the cost of the Committee; the matters it is now considering; if and when it issued advice to him on any matter since January 1979; the content of such advice; and if it was accepted.
Written Answers. - Cattle Advisory Committee.
381.
The Cattle Advisory Committee met five times in 1979 and three times so far this year.
The members of the committee and the bodies they represent are as follows:
|
Member |
Body Represented |
|
Mr. J. O'Keeffe, Scarteen Upper,Newmarket, Co. Cork (Chairman). |
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers'Association. |
|
Mr. Nicholas Ryan, Maginstown,Clerihan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. |
ditto. |
|
Mr. Simon Curran, Dunsinea, Castleknock,Co. Dublin. |
An Foras Talúntais. |
|
Dr. P. Caffrey, U.C.D. Lyons,Newcastle, Co. Dublin. |
UCD—Faculty of Agriculture. |
|
Mr. G. Frost, Chief Agricultural OfficerCounty Waterford Committee ofAgriculture, Shandon, Dungarvan,Co. Waterford. |
General Council of Committeesof Agriculture. |
|
Mr. Sean Robinson, Amalgamated MeatPackers Ltd., Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. |
Irish Fresh Meat Exporters'Society Ltd. |
|
Mr. Christopher Barry, Readstown,Trim, Co. Meath. |
National Executive of the IrishLive stock Trade |
|
Mr. Jerome Buttimer, Lackendaragh,Glenville, Co. Cork. |
Irish Co-operative OrganisationSociety Ltd. |
|
Mr. Michael J. Cleary, Clounty,Scarriff, Co. Clare. |
A.I. Operating Bodies. |
|
Mr. C.S.M. Kilroy, Doonally House,Sligo. |
A.I. Veterinary Officers' Association. |
|
Mr. P.J. Moore C.B.F.Clanwilliam House, Mount St., Dublin 2. |
Coras Beostoic agus Feola. |
|
Mr. C.L. Whyte, Clonwhelan House,Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. |
Pedigree Cattle Breeders'Council. |
|
Mr. Garrett Tyrrell, Woodtown Abbott,Kilcalkey, Co. Meath. |
ditto. |
|
Mr. T. Cleary, Ballycapple,Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary. |
Irish Farmers' Association. |
|
Mr. Sean Fitzgerald, Farmleigh,Castleknock, Co. Dublin. |
ditto. |
|
Dr. Austin Mescal, Deputy ChiefInspector. |
Department of Agriculture. |
|
Mr. Owen O'Donnell S.S.V.I. |
ditto. |
Committee expenditure in 1979 was £478 and so far in 1980, £321.
The Committee are at present considering the implications of EEC Directive 77/504 on pure-bred animals of the bovine species for breeding. They are also examining beef breeding practices in this country and various aspects of performance testing.
The committee furnished advice on 22 November 1979 in regard to bull licensing and again on 11 January 1980 on the same subject. The committee's advice was that bull licensing should continue for the time being and that there must be strict quality control of bulls used for breeding. I have since met the committee for a discussion and I am considering the whole matter. Meanwhile I have continued bull licensing for a further year.