Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1959 > Committee of Public Accounts > Report - Appropriation Accounts 1957 - 1958

APPENDIX XVI.

BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS SCHEME: FEES TO VETERINARY SURGEONS.

Cléireach,

An Coiste um Chuntais Phoiblí.

Arising out of my evidence before your Committee on the 4th December, 1958, I wish to furnish the following additional information, requested by Deputy Haughey, about fees paid to veterinary surgeons in the financial year 1957/58, for tuberculin testing under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme:—

(1) 5 veterinary surgeons received over £5,000, ranging from £5,293 7s. for 2,000 herds to £7,999 10s. for 2,607 herds.

(2) 12 veterinary surgeons received from £3,000 to £5,000, ranging from £3,039 11s. for 1,261 herds to £4,427 13s. for 2,078 herds.

(3) 60 veterinary surgeons received from £1,000 to £3,000, ranging from £1,000 14s. for 510 herds to £2,991 12s. for 1,322 herds.

(4) 65 veterinary surgeons received from £500 to £1,000, ranging from £503 10s. for 202 herds to £975 9s. for 207 herds.

(5) 173 veterinary surgeons received under £500, ranging from £3 5s. for 1 herd to £498 18s. for 151 herds.

The average amount paid to the veterinary surgeons engaged on the Scheme during the year was £855.

The enclosures to this minute set out the testing arrangements in detail.

An Roinn Talmhaíochta.

8 Eanáir, 1959.

1. The veterinary practitioners who are responsible for a large volume of testing under the Scheme usually engage one or more professional assistants.

2. Two visits by the veterinary surgeon are involved in a test of a herd, the fee for which is £1 to cover the two visits plus 5/- for each of the first 10 animals and 4/- for each animal over that number. At the first visit the main duties consist in the injection of tuberculins of two different types at separable sites, which have to be selected, measured and prepared, recording the skin measurements together with a description of each animal (age, breed, sex, etc.), marking each animal by means of an ear-tattoo for the purpose of individual identification and notifying the Department of the start of the test. The second visit must be made at the 72nd hour after the time of injection when the result of the test is determined and recorded in respect of each animal and professional advice given to the owner on a suitable programme for the herd, covering such matters as the isolation and removal of reactors and their replacement, byre improvements, water supplies, etc.

3. Each animal tested under the Scheme must be marked by means of an ear-tattoo for purposes of individual identification. This marking is a rather slow operation as the numerals in the tattooing forceps must be changed for each animal and the site for the tattoo must be carefully prepared. Many veterinary surgeons also employ lay helpers to do this work and to assist in the handling of the cattle while being tested.

4. A comprehensive report must be furnished by the veterinary surgeon in connection with each herd test, setting out in detail the reaction of each animal to the test, summarising the entire herd position and giving statistics relating to herd composition, disposal of reactors, etc. If necessary, milk samples must be taken and sent for examination to the Department’s Veterinary Research Laboratory. A certificate giving the test result must be issued to the herd-owner. Specimens of the test report form and certificate are attached.*

5. A careful dossier must be kept by the veterinary surgeon in respect of each herd for which he is responsible under the Scheme. Most veterinary surgeons find it necessary to employ clerical assistance to deal with the clerical end of the work.

* Note:—Copies of Forms T.B.5; T.B.5a and T.B.6a were supplied to the Committee with the foregoing statements.