(Limerick West) and Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will extent the breeding subsidy scheme to premium and licensed bull owners.

No. The relevant EEC regulations authorise a subsidy for artificial inseminations only.

(Limerick West): Would the Minister consider seeking permission to have the artificial insemination subsidy extended to breeding bulls?

It is something we could look at, especially in view of the disappearance of bull licensing as a way of encouraging people to use proper bulls.

(Limerick West): The time has come to stop looking; we want action now. Could the Minister give an assurance that we will get action on this matter?

I cannot give any assurance except to say that we will look into the matter. The use of AI is increasing at an extraordinary rate——

(Limerick West): That is because of the subsidy.

This is a factual question and the Minister was not asked to make a statement on it; he was asked for figures.

(Limerick West): We are entitled to ask a supplementary question.

I was reading Question No. 17 instead of Question No. 16. I am sorry.

(Limerick West): Your apology is accepted.

Is the Minister satisfied with the quality of our premium and licensed bulls? If so, does he think that the subsidy should be increased in order to accommodate that aspect of the industry?

That is something we must negotiate at EEC level each year. This year we have negotiated a subsidy for AI only.

(Limerick West): It was already negotiated for the Minister.

It is £4.94 for the first insemination, but this is something that can be looked at.

I should like to ask the Minister again if he is satisfied with the quality of our premium and licensed bulls and, if so, does he consider the subsidy should be increased? Are his Department trying to promote A1 over the licensed and premium bulls?

No, I do not think the Department have any such ideas. We negotiated for AI. The EEC special measures for the development of beef cattle production in Ireland were negotiated as part of the 1981 price agreement. Those special measures came into operation on 17 May 1981 for a two-year period. It provided that aid would be granted for the intensification of performance and progeny testing of beef bulls, encouraging greater use of AI, increasing use of lime and encouraging farmers to make silage.

It is one of the best schemes ever introduced because it will improve the standard of our breeding herd and our cattle population. However, in view of the budget statement that the money to continue funding that scheme had to come from the farm modernisation scheme, would the Minister reconsider making grants available under that scheme to farmers who are in such dire straits at present?

Deputy Connaughton has dealt adequately with that question.

17.

(Limerick West) and Mr. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of prosecutions for unlicensed bulls in 1982; and the number of calves born in 1982.

There were no prosecutions for unlicensed bulls in 1982. It is estimated that one and three-quarter million calves were born during 1982. The number of cattle under one year in June 1982 livestock census was 1,609,000.

18.

(Limerick West) and Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of cattle artificial inseminations performed in 1982; and the number for each breed.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

Inseminations by Breed in 1982