Vol. 529 No. 1
441 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that the treatment of animals (details supplied) was not a contributory factor to death among the herd in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2409/01]
The persons named applied for the ewe premium and sheep headage in the year 2000 in respect of 130 ewes. At an inspection on 17 April 2000, of the 130 ewes applied on, only 32 were presented. No payment was due under either scheme to the persons named as the shortfall in numbers had not been notified to the Department. This decision has been upheld by the Department's district inspector and by the appeals unit.
The persons named informed the Department that following a report to Mayo County Council that there was an outbreak of sheep scab in the flock the county council's veterinary inspector treated the infected sheep on 2 February 2000. The persons named have stated that over the following six to seven weeks between 60 and 80 animals died. No veterinary evidence was submitted by the persons named to support their claim that the sheep died because of the treatment administered by the county council's veterinary inspector. I am advised that the treatment in question should not result in the deaths of sheep.
Question No. 442 answered with Question No. 348.
