Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Written Answers. - Brucellosis Incidence.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

23 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of herds in which brucellosis has been detected in 1997; the implications in this regard for our officially brucellosis free status; the new measures, if any, he has to tackle the brucellosis threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19420/97]

Jack Wall

Question:

46 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new measures, if any, he will take to prevent the spread of brucellosis in view of the threat to our disease free status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19455/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 46 together.

The number of new outbreaks of brucellosis in herds up to 1 November 1997 was 681. However the number of herds restricted for brucellosis under EU legislation at that date was 323.

In relation to the current brucellosis situation following consultations with the bodies represented on the Animal Health Forum I recently introduced a number of measures to deal with the matter including the establishment of milk ring testing (MRT) on a monthly basis as opposed to the previous arrangement whereby four tests were carried out at six weekly intervals in the period April to September; an awareness/education programme directed specifically at farmers which will focus principally on promoting effective herd management and health protection practices including prudent buying-in from reliable sources — in this regard an advice pack outlining the essential measures required to protect their herds was sent to each herdowner in September; detailed epidemiological investigations by my Department's veterinary inspectors into brucellosis breakdowns; a major revamping of the compensation regime aimed at encouraging farmers to purchase eligible cattle from reliable sources, confine purchases to cattle which have passed brucellosis, blood tests within the previous 60 days in the herds from which they are bought and test such cattle again within 30 days of purchase.

Detailed information on the foregoing has been sent to each herdowner by post.

In view of the continuing deterioration, I am satisfied that further measures are now required to combat the disease. I will be meeting farming and veterinary interests on Thursday next in the Animal Health Forum. Following this, I will decide on any further measures to be introduced.