§ 52. Mr. FIELDasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the exportation of live stock from Ireland, he will consider the advisability of having a census taken of cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses; and whether he can state the Regulations made and enforced to safeguard the average numbers of live stock for breeding purposes so as to keep up the supply?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)The Department of Agriculture do not consider it necessary or advisable at present to put farmers and the police to the trouble of taking a special live stock census, as suggested. Sufficient statistics are being obtained by the Department under existing arrangements to enable the changes in the numbers of live stock in Ireland to be carefully observed.
782 By Orders under the Maintenance of Live Stock Act, 1915, the Department have prohibited, or restricted, the slaughter or exportation of the following classes of live stock, with a view to the future requirements of the country: Young calves of either sex, young heifers up to a certain stage of development, mulch cows, in-calf cows and heifers, and breeding sows. The Orders are still in force, and the whole question is receiving careful attention.