asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to a press report where he was urged to relax the restrictions on calf imports from Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Under new EC arrangements, calves and adult cattle which pass certain animal disease tests may now be imported from Britain without having to go through quarantine. The possibility of relaxing the test requirements for certain types of calves is being examined but any change contemplated would have to be balanced against the danger of importing disease into the national herd.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that the importation of calves from the United Kingdom would cause great danger to our national herd as far as our disease-free status is concerned, particularly in regard to foot and mouth? Is the Minister further aware that if sanction was given by his Department it would, to a large extent, affect the sale of calves in this country, especially by dairy farmers?

Cattle and calves imported from the UK without quarantine must have passed stringent tests for certain diseases, tuberculosis, brucellosis, leukosis, rhinotracheitis and johnnes disease. In the case of leukosis, we demand herd freedom for three years on all adult animals and in the case of IBR we require herd freedom for six months and a 30 day test for individual animals. These stringent rules must be complied with but I agree that the possibility of endangering the national herd is real and something we must guard against.

(Limerick West): Could the Minister say how this request arose in the first instance and if it will be examined closely by his Department?

It arose from an article in the Irish Independent on 10 January. The Irish Meat Exporters' Association said that because of the high price of calves and their scarcity it would be to the benefit of the industry if reasonably priced, good quality animals could be made available to the cattle and beef industry.

Has any application been made to the Department for the importation of calves or small cattle?

No.

If such an application did arise, what view would the Minister hold?

The application would be dealt with when the Department had studied all the aspects.

(Limerick West): Does the Minister agree that it would be more appropriate to increase the national herd by giving the necessary incentives to increase cow herd numbers?

The Deputy must agree that there are a number of very good incentives, especially in regard to suckler herds.