asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the very severe hardship being experienced by many farmers who have the misfortune to have cattle react to health tests; and if, in view of this, he will revert to the former method of disposing of these cattle where the Department purchased the affected animals at a reasonable market value.
Written Answers. - Cattle Test Reactors.
331.
The continuing progress in the eradication of brucellosis means that few farmers are now experiencing serious outbreaks of the disease. Progress with TB eradication is somewhat slower, but where an exceptionally serious outbreak of either disease occurs, the provisions of the hardship fund are designed to alleviate the financial consequences for the herdowners.
The former system of disposing of reactors which was terminated in 1976 had many inherent defects and I do not propose to revert to it.