Committee Reports > List of Committees > Seanad > 1961 > Select Committee on Statutory Instruments > Report No. 03 - Statutory Instruments [15]

APPENDIX VII.

Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Special Controls) Order, 1960 (S.I. No. 178 of 1960). Bovine Tuberculosis (Movement Control) Order, 1960 (S.I. No. 179 of 1960). Bovine Tuberculosis (Control of Public Sales of Cattle) Order, 1960 (S.I. No. 180 of 1960). Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Limerick) Order, 1960 (S.I. No. 181 of 1960).

An Rúnaí,

An Roinn Talmhaíochta.

I am directed by the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments to refer to the undermentioned Orders which were laid before Seanad Éireann pursuant to statute on 30th August, 1960:—

Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Special Controls) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 178 of 1960].

Bovine Tuberculosis (Movement Control) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 179 of 1960].

Bovine Tuberculosis (Control of Public Sales of Cattle) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 180 of 1960].

Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Limerick) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 181 of 1960].

As the Orders were made on 18th August, 1960, the Select Committee must, in accordance with its terms of reference, consider whether there was unjustifiable delay in laying the instruments before Seanad Éireann. It would be glad to receive a memorandum as soon as possible explaining the delay in presentation.

Cléireach an Rogha-Choiste.

An Roinn Talmhaíochta,

Baile Átha Cliath.

15 Bealtaine, 1961.

Cléireach,

Rogha-Choiste um Ionstraimí Reachtúla,

I am directed by the Minister for Agriculture to refer to your minute of 27th April, 1961, about the delay in the presentation to Seanad Éireann of the following Orders:—

Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Special Controls) Order 1960 [S.I. No. 178 of 1960].

Bovine Tuberculosis (Movement Control) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 179 of 1960].

Bovine Tuberculosis (Control of Public Sales of Cattle) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 180 of 1960].

Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Limerick) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 181 of 1960].

As a result of discussions with the British authorities, it became necessary to introduce in the Western Area, as a matter of great urgency, certain measures relating to the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. These measures were incorporated in six new Orders, all of which came into operation on 5th September, 1960. Four of the Orders—those named above—were signed by the Minister on 18th August, and it was hoped that the other two, viz. Bovine Tuberculosis (Movement Control) (No. 2) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 186 of 1960] and Bovine Tuberculosis (Places and Times for Movement into County Donegal) Order, 1960 [S.I. No. 185 of 1960] would be ready for signature a day or so after 18th August. Unfortunately, unavoidable delay unexpectedly arose in finalising the terms of these two Orders and, in the event, they were not ready for signing by the Minister until 29th August. All six Orders were laid before Seanad Éireann on the following day.

As will be seen from the Advertisement and Press Notice attached, all six Orders were interrelated and regarded in the Department as forming essential parts of a composite whole to be published together. Nevertheless, it is now appreciated that the first four Orders should have been presented to Seanad Éireann in advance of the remaining two, and I am to express regret that this was not done. Steps have been taken to ensure that, in future Orders will be presented as made.

Enclosures to Department of Agriculture minute of 15 Bealtaine, 1961.

GOVERNMENT NOTICES.

An Roinn Talmhaíochta.

DISEASES OF ANIMALS (BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS) ACT, 1957.

(a) Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Special Controls) Order, 1960.

(b) Bovine Tuberculosis (Movement Control) Order, 1960.

(c) Bovine Tuberculosis (Movement Control) (No. 2) Order, 1960.

(d) Bovine Tuberculosis (Control of Public Sales of Cattle) Order, 1960.

(e) Bovine Tuberculosis (Clearance Area) (Limerick) Order, 1960.

(f) Bovine Tuberculosis (Places and Times for Movement into County Donegal) Order, 1960.

The Minister for Agriculture has made six Orders entitled as above, with effect from 5th September, 1960.

The Order at

(a) regulates movement of cattle into Counties Donegal, Mayo and Sligo, movement of cattle into and out of herds and public sales of cattle in those counties.

The Order at

(b) regulates movement of cattle into Counties Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon, the parts of County Limerick and the Co. Borough of Limerick lying north of the River Shannon and the part of county Westmeath lying west of that River and also movement of cattle into and out of herds in those areas.

The Order at

(c) regulates movement of cattle into Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, and the part of County Westmeath lying west of the River Inny and also movement of cattle into and out of herds in those areas.

The Order at

(d) regulates public sales of cattle held in County Galway.

The Order at

(e) declares the part of the Co. Borough of Limerick lying north of the River Shannon to be a clearance area i.e. an area in which bovine tuberculosis is to be eradicated.

The Order at

(f) prohibits entry of cattle into County Donegal except through certain specified entry points and between certain hours.

Copies of the Orders may be obtained from the Department of Agriculture (Section 29), Dublin.

30th August, 1960.

NEW MEASURES TO CONTROL CATTLE MOVEMENTS

1. The progress of the scheme for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis in the western counties has necessitated the introduction of new control measures with the object of safeguarding the status of the herds there. The new measures are being brought into operation on 5th September, 1960, by Orders which the Minister has made. They supplement the blue card arrangements which were initiated some months ago in Donegal and Sligo and extended recently in Mayo and Galway and which have proved to be a most effective control system as well as a valuable incentive to herd-owners.

2. Every herd-owner in the Western Clearance Area will receive a letter explaining the new regulations. It should be carefully studied, particularly by those who are likely to be selling or buying stock.

3. For the purpose of these new regulations the Western Clearance Area has been divided into two sections—one comprising the counties Donegal, Sligo and Mayo and the other taking in the remaining four counties, (Clare, Galway, Leitrim and Roscommon) and the small parts of Limerick and Co. Westmeath included in the Area. The first of these is near to full attestation and the regulations will help to bring the final goal still closer.

4. From the 5th September, 1960, cattle will be admitted into Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo only if they are attested, covered by a blue card or 14-day tested. Cattle for slaughter may go only to a licensed cannery or meat factory. A permit to move animals into this Area must be obtained in all cases. Inside the three counties of this area movement of cattle into any herd which has passed two successive herd tests is limited to those that are attested, covered by blue cards, 14-day tested or from other herds in the three counties which have passed two successive herd tests. Permits to move the animals into the herd must first be obtained in the case of 14-day tested, blue card cattle from outside the three counties and cattle from “twice-clear” herds within the three counties.

5. Movement of cattle into the second area (Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon and the clearance parts of Limerick and Westmeath) is confined to the classes mentioned above for Donegal, Mayo and Sligo and to cattle from “twice-clear” herds in the latter area or in Cavan or Monaghan. Movement permits are necessary for all but “blue-card” animals or those coming from Donegal, Mayo and Sligo which are from “twice-clear” herds there or are 14-day tested in those counties.

6. Permits are not necessary for internal movement into herds within the second area, but only certain classes of animals may be moved into any herd which has passed its most recent herd test. These classes are attested, blue-card, 14-day tested cattle, cattle from “twice-clear” herds in any of the seven western Clearance Area counties or in Cavan or Monaghan, and cattle from herds within the second area which have passed their most recent herd test. A further restriction has to be placed as a safeguard on “blue-card” herds, to which entry is forbidden to cattle from “once-clear” or “twice-clear” herds in the Clearance Counties generally (including Cavan and Monaghan).

7. The Minister has also found it necessary to include in the Order additional controls over public cattle sales as a further safeguard against the re-introduction of tuberculosis in the more advanced counties. Under the Orders sales in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway may be held only at approved premises, which may include markets and fairs where the regulations can be adhered to. The only classes of cattle which may be entered for sales in Sligo, Donegal and Mayo are blue-card animals, 14-day tested stock and those from “twice-clear” herds in the three counties. Sales in Galway must be confined to the same categories of animals and those from “twice-clear” herds in any part of the western Clearance Area, or Cavan or Monaghan.

8. At all sales facilities for segregating different classes of stock must be provided if official approval for the sale is to be obtained. “Blue-card” animals will have to be kept strictly apart from all other classes.

9. The existing regulations regarding sales will continue to operate in the remaining western Clearance Area counties, viz. Leitrim, Roscommon, and Clare.

10. An important new regulation regarding the movement of cattle into the western Clearance counties is that cattle intended for sale within the Area must be brought first to premises approved by the Minister. In the case of Donegal, Sligo and Mayo this applies to “blue-card” and 14-day tested animals, but only 14-day tested stock (other than animals of this class from Donegal, Sligo and Mayo) for the rest of the western Clearance Area.

11. These animals may not be moved out of the approved premises except under a movement permit, and, if not sold within 14 days (in the case of “blue-card” animals) or before the 14-day certificates have expired, they must be held on the premises for a further 60 days and then re-tested. Records must be kept by the owner of these cattle, showing tattoo marks, ear-tag numbers and the manner of disposal of each animal. Herd-owners who are moving cattle into isolation in their own herds are not subject to these regulations.

12. An Order has also been made by the Minister appointing special points as the only ones at which cattle may be taken into Co. Donegal and setting out the times these entry points will be open for the admission of cattle to the county. There are four entry points, the principal one being the River Erne bridge at Ballyshannon, which will be open every day except Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on any day a fair is held in the town.

13. The other three points are the frontier posts at Bridgend, Lifford and Pettigo. Bridgend will be open from 1 p.m. each day except Saturday and Sunday and will close at 3 p.m. except on Wednesday when it will be open until 5 p.m. Lifford entry point will be open each weekday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, except on Thursdays when it will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. At Pettigo frontier post opening hours will be 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday.

14. Herd-owners and dealers are urged to ensure that every movement of cattle is accompanied by the necessary blue cards, veterinary certificates and movement permits. Permits can be obtained from the Gardai, from customs frontier posts and from the Department of Agriculture’s local B.T.E. Offices. Permits for movement within the area can be obtained from the local B.T.E. Office or from a Department officer at an approved sale.

15. Applications for approval of permises in relation to the bringing of stock into the Western Clearance Area for sale or for the holding of public sales in any of the counties Donegal, Sligo Mayo or Galway, should be made to the local B.T.E. Office.

16. Under the new regulations it will no longer be permissible to move uncertificated cattle through the Western Clearance Area or to return to that Area cattle which have left it to go to a fair or mart outside. The special provision allowing cattle from Co. Longford or the part of Westmeath west of the River Inny, which had passed a test within the previous two months, to be taken into the Western Clearance Area, has also been withdrawn.

Issued by the Public Relations Officer,

Department of Agriculture,

30th August, 1960.