Vol. 420 No. 5
7 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has any plans to improve the levels of compensation for the voluntary depopulation of herds which have positive BSE outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
56 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with the diagnostic procedure, including blood testing, carried out by his Department in animals suspected of BSE, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Wexford): I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 56 together.
The only method of BSE diagnosis is by post mortem histopathological examination of the brain. I am satisfied with the diagnostic procedures operated by my Department.
Compensation for the voluntary depopulation of a herd in which an animal has been diagnosed as being infected with BSE is based on the market value of the herd. This results in a fair and adequate level of compensation and I have no plans to change current procedures.
The Minister will be aware of some cases I brought to his attention, particularly with regard to the diagnostic procedure followed. Blood samples are being used by departmental officers purporting to clear animals which have been found on post mortem to have been infected with this disease. We talk about voluntary depopulation and voluntary compensation but are we serious about this disease? Will the Minister review the diagnostic procedure? Why go through the procedure of blood testing if it is valueless? Why clear animals on blood test results when the animal can be identified on post mortem as having this very serious disease?
(Wexford): There is as yet no blood test for BSE. The living animal may exhibit characteristics leading to suspicion of BSE. These include aggression, unco-ordination, unsteadiness and nervousness. A conclusive diagnosis is possible only on post mortem examination of the brain. Veterinary staff in the Department have received specialist training in the diagnosis of BSE and private practicioners have been alerted to the symptoms of the disease. I am aware of one case in County Tipperary where there was a constriction in the way the examination was carried out. After a further examination the departmental inspector formed the opinion that the animal was not suffering from BSE and the restriction was removed. However, a laboratory examination later indicated that the animal was infected with BSE. This inconsistency between the laboratory result and the conclusion drawn on the basis of a physical examination of the living animal can arise because the latter is based on a subjective evaluation of characteristics which may differ from animal to animal. Arrangements are being made to deal with the Tipperary case.
Is the Minister aware that there is a further outbreak in the same herd? This is the Minister's responsibility and now we are talking about depopulating the herd. The farmer had made every effort to convince the Department official that in his opinion, and the opinion of a vet, the animal was infected. Is the Minister satisfied with the procedure we are following for this very serious disease which could ruin our beef industry unless we come to grips with it?
(Wexford): I am satisfied. We are the only country that depopulates the full herd when one or more animals are infected. In the UK, and in other countries, they slaughter the infected animal. We depopulated the full herd for trade reasons because it could have serious consequences for the meat industry. I will communicate with the Deputy with regard to the further outbreak in Tipperary to which he has drawn my attention.
