Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to draw the Minister's attention to two issues, namely, BVD testing and sheep farmers' concerns about dog attacks. At this time of year, ewes are heavy in lamb and sheep farmers are worried about increased numbers of walkers' dogs roaming off the leash on hills where they are a danger to sheep.

Walkers are always welcome in the countryside. Walking clubs have worked well and closely with farmers and landowners over many years. Sheep farmers in areas between Macroom and Millstreet, for example, in Mushera and Clara, have been highlighting concerns to me about increased numbers of walkers and people rediscovering the countryside but with dogs off the leash. That is a real concern for sheep farmers. While the control of dogs is not a direct responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, sheep farming is. I call on the Minister to liaise with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about ensuring that livestock are safe.

Another issue is bovine viral diarrhoea testing for young calves. When calves are born, farmers tag them, take the sample and send it in the post to Kildare. Often, that is done by registered post. Farmers are keen to get a result back in a timely fashion in case they want to sell on calves. While they will hold the calves for two weeks, they want to know that they will have the result back in that time.

There will be increased demand on the laboratories as we move into calving season. It gets more intense and the laboratories will be used for Covid-19 testing as well. We have to ensure adequate capacity is available for all these needs in those laboratories. I call on the Minister to liaise with the laboratories to ensure they have adequate capacity and can deliver in a timely manner.

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