andMr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture the incidence of disease in each country in animals of (a) TB and (b) brucellosis; and his proposals to accelerate the disease eradication programme.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement which will be circulated in the Official Report.

As regards the disease eradication programme brucellosis eradication has been progressing very satisfactorily with incidence now down to 0.10 per cent of animals. Over the past few years the situation with bovine tuberculosis eradication has been disappointing with TB incidence levels showing an increase at the end of the last round. Corrective action was taken in June 1982 with an intensive programme of special check tests on herds in high TB incidence areas. Early results from the present round indicate that this approach was very effective and it has led to a reduction of some 30 per cent in the number of herds locked-up with TB. Alongside the annual round of tests I propose to continue these special check tests in problem areas and I am satisfied that the present strategies on bovine TB and brucellosis eradication will prove effective.

Following is the statement:

Animal Incidence of Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis on 1981-82 Annual Round of Testing.

Admittedly there has been a drop in numbers but in some areas where people have not purchased stock there is a very serious incidence and they cannot get any information from the Department why there is this high incidence in certain areas, particularly in the north Monaghan region.

The spread from one farm to another seems to be the main reason, and this has been accepted by the people involved in trying to cure the disease. The transport of animals by people involved in the jobbing trade has caused a great deal of concern because of the lack of care of vehicles going into farmyards and the fact that many of these vehicles carry disease. A project has been started in Bandon and they have decided through the co-operative and the AI stations to collect all diseased animals in the area. In my view, the fact that animals were not delivered quickly and that vehicles were not properly washed and cleaned was a cause for the increase in the spread of these diseases.

Would the Minister agree that getting rid of doubtful animals may have spread the disease? In many areas where animals were moved from farm to farm we have this incidence of the spread of disease and this has not been satisfactorily explained so far. Badgers or dogs may be involved. It is time the Department did an in-depth study in those areas where there is a very high incidence of the disease and where it is spreading from farm to farm.

I am assured by our veterinary people that an in-depth study is progressing and is having good results. They achieved a great deal in my own area. In east Cork because of intensive work carried out by the Department, tests and so on, we have the disease under control.

Are the regulations in connection with trucks being disinfected and cleaned out as regularly as the law demands enforced? I do not think they are. The Department should see to it that they are. The farming community are told repeatedly that the scheme is costing too much. A good deal of legislation was introduced years ago in connection with cattle marts. Many of our trucks are going around like slurry pits and that is how the disease is spreading.

A question, Deputy.

I would like a reply from the Minister.

I am familiar with some marts, and I am satisfied with the standard of hygiene I have seen in the marts.

I am talking about the trucks.

From what I have seen of vehicles coming into mart premises, I am satisfied that there is a great awareness of the necessity to have the trucks clean and in good condition.