Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Brucellosis Incidence.

Mr. J. Walsh

I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to inform us about what the Department is planning to do about the alarming increase in the incidence of brucellosis during the past year. The increase is particularly concentrated in Munster in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary in particular. In the past year 313 herds were restricted and 75 per cent of them were in that region. Anyone who knows about agriculture knows that contagious abortion or brucellosis is a particularly frightening disease. It wipes out herds. It reduces the income potential for herd owners. It can and often does spread to humans as undulant fever. Economically it threatens our food exports and our high status internationally in handling disease problems. Many people are concerned that we have moved from a brucellosis free status a few years ago to an explosion in the incidence of this rampant contagious disease.

Did the Minister and the Department take their eye off the ball on this matter? What measures will the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry take to contain this disease and to introduce controls to finally rid the national herd of this scourge? To what extent was research carried out on this disease? Veterinary experts have said that the blood test used is not 100 per cent accurate. We have had a number of disease problems during the past few years, but it is worrying that an old disease like this was allowed to develop to this extent. I await with interest what the Minister of State has to say on the measures being taken to address this problem.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Deenihan)

I thank Deputy Joe Walsh for raising this matter on the Adjournment. The incidence of brucellosis was on the increase when we entered office in 1994. I am fully aware of the current situation in regard to brucellosis which is giving rise to concern.

As outlined in the Minister's recent replies to parliamentary questions, the number of herd restrictions increased from 189 herds at the end of 1995 to 313 herds at the end of 1996. To clarify the position on these 313 herds, approximately half had only one reactor and 68 per cent had two reactors or less. In addition, a significant number of these herds have had two clear blood tests but continue to be restricted under national legislation.

The position nonetheless is of concern particularly in the Limerick, North Cork, North Kerry and South Tipperary areas. With this in mind, I organised meetings in my county and additional public meetings, addressed by national experts, were held in these and the other areas over recent months. Foremost among the issues discussed was good herd management which is essential for the prevention of brucellosis.

Bought-in animals represent one of the biggest risks. Where buying in cannot be avoided, it is of the utmost importance that such animals are prudently sourced from reputable outlets, isolated from the main herd until after calving and subsequently subjected to two clear blood tests. Aborting animals or suspicious calvings should be isolated and abortions reported immediately to the district veterinary office. Aborted material which is extremely infectious should be disposed of safely. As an incentive to herd owners to combat this disease through improved herd management, all contiguous brucellosis testing during 1997 will be paid for by the Department.

Discussions as to what other initiatives should be taken to reverse the current trend are currently taking place between the Department and representatives of the farming bodies and veterinary groups. These discussions cover all aspects of the brucellosis eradication programmes of recent years including the intensive programmes for herds with active infection, increased bulk milk ring testing, herd depopulation and other aspects. It is hoped that these discussions will shortly be finalised and the necessary new measures put in place as quickly as possible.

The Dáil adjourned at 11.5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 5 March 1997.