HC Deb 18 December 1912 vol 45 cc1509-10W
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the movement of cattle in Oldcastle and the surrounding district was restricted because of an outbreak of disease at Mullingar in an adjoining county; if Mullingar is now declared a healthy area and the free movement of stock restored to its normal condition, and why is similar treatment withheld from Oldcastle; whether it is because of an alleged case at Kells many miles distant, which on examination proved not to be a genuine case of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether, having regard to the hardships suffered by stock-owners in the Oldcastle district through no fault of their own, he will now remove the present restrictions and allow the usual fairs to be held next Thursday and Friday?

Mr. T. W. RUSSELL

Certain portions of Oldcastle No. 1 Rural District were included in the district scheduled on the 18th October on account of the foot-and-mouth outbreaks at Mullingar. By Orders of 12th and 16th instant this district was contracted, and now only covers an area having a four or five mile radius from the Mullingar infected places. There is nothing at present to prevent the holding of the fairs referred to, but animals exposed thereat cannot be moved out of the larger area declared yesterday, which includes portions of Westmeath and the whole of counties Meath and Monaghan, as well as the other northern counties.

Dr. O'NEILL

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that Bernard Griffin, cattle dealer, Poyntzpass, county Armagh, has had twenty-eight cattle lying at the port of Newry for a period of ten days, and that they have been inspected daily by the inspectors from the Department, and that no trace of disease has been found amongst them; and can he say how soon he can allow of their being shipped to their destination?

Mr. RUSSELL

Twenty-eight cattle belonging to a man named Gribbin were inspected on the 8th instant in a field near Newry and found healthy. That port has been closed since the 4th instant. No cattle can at present be moved out of county Armagh, and I cannot say when the port will be again opened.