asked the Minister for Agriculture the percentage of reactors to tuberculosis and brucellosis testing in County Galway since the veterinary strike ended and testing restarted.

It has always been the policy not to disclose information of this nature which might be misconstrued to the detriment of our export trade. I do not propose to depart from this policy.

A similar question was put down to the Minister some months ago and he said it was too early at that stage to estimate the percentage. He gave the impression that when percentages could be assessed he would give the answer. I do not want to harm the cattle trade but this is relevant to my next question.

This policy has been followed since the eradication scheme commenced and, as stated in the reply, it might be detrimental to our export trade to disclose such figures.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary stating that we will not get any information whatsoever?

That is the policy laid down.

I did not know that.

It was laid down by Fianna Fáil when in Government.

It surprises me to hear that we will not get any information about the percentage of reactors.

The Deputy is well aware that we are trying to get export markets for our cattle and I do not think it would help our exporters if we were to publicise figures which may not be favourable at times. That was the reason for the policy being formulated when the scheme was initiated

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that his silence on this matter can be construed by people outside as indicating that the figures are so bad we do not want to disclose them? Will he not agree that his silence is harmful?

It could be so construed irrespective of the percentage level. The information will not be given until there has been a change in policy.

Did the Minister for Agriculture not indicate recently that he was about to release the figures, and cannot the Parliamentary Secretary's failure to do so be construed in the way I have indicated?

The position is the same now as it was between 1957 and 1973.

There are a number of small farmers being robbed at the moment and there is no sense in withholding the information.

20.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider introducing legislation to give his Department power to ensure that factories give a fair deal to farmers who have reactors under the tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes.

The disposal of reactor cattle under the bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes is a matter for private arrangement between herdowner and factory. Accordingly, the question of introducing legislation as proposed by the Deputy does not arise.

The reason for my question is that there has been a change in the system which leaves the farmers at the mercy of the factories. They are getting 35p per lb. less for reactor beasts. There are people losing £100 on reactors and light cattle.

The taxpayers this year will contribute £18.8 million on the eradication of animal diseases. The prices are quoted regularly by the factories. I have prices in front of me dated 25th April last: TB reactor cows, 85.63p per kilo; brucellosis cows and non-reactors, 108.48p per kilo.

I have documents in my possession which I can show to the Parliamentary Secretary indicating that farmers are receiving 35p per lb. less for TB reactors than for ordinary cattle or brucellosis reactors. Farmers are getting £100 per beast less than they could get on the open market for live animals.

I am sure the Deputy is aware that the market for reactor meat is very limited and the prices quoted are regarded as reasonable.

Speed up the testing.

The fact that the market is restricted is all the more reason why the prices should be controlled. If the markets were not limited there would be a fair price.

In some cases it is possible to get more for reactor cattle than for non-reactors.