Vol. 567 No. 3
14 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to provide a genotyping facility for sheep, to ensure that scrapie-resistant animals are available for restocking, where depopulation has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13996/03]
In line with current EU developments I am developing a national genotype programme, NGP. The programme, which will be available this autumn, will provide a blood testing service to flock owners throughout the country to determine the level of susceptibility of sheep to scrapie. On testing, I envisage a role for the veterinary laboratory service of my Department and for private laboratories which may be approved to offer a commercial service to flock owners. The outcome of testing will provide a basis for official certification of individual animals, the accreditation of individual flocks according to their levels of susceptibility to the disease and implementation of breeding programmes designed to enhance resistance to scrapie in the national flock. I will elaborate further on the detail of the NGP as the design of various aspects is finalised. It is my intention that it will be as user-friendly as possible and that it will provide a valuable and efficient service to flock owners.
As a precursor to the fully-fledged NGP, and in line with EU requirements, my Department is currently undertaking a genetic survey of sheep breeds, which involves taking and testing blood samples from animals in a number of flocks throughout the country. This is progressing satisfactorily although it is as yet too early to draw any overall conclusions.
