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.