Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 8

Written Answers. - Tuberculin Tests.

Ivor Callely

Question:

14 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total subsidies paid to farmers in 1997 where cattle failed the tuberculin test; the procedures, if any, in place when these cattle are sold to factories; whether the carcases are marked for any particular action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5192/98]

Ivor Callely

Question:

42 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the review, if any, that has taken place with regard to the tuberculin test, which is the EU test for determining TB in cattle; the number of cattle that tested positive in 1997 by this test; the actual number that proved positive on post mortem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5191/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 42 together.

The tuberculin test is the standard EU legal test for the detection of TB infection in cattle.

The Annexes of Council Directive 64/432 EEC relating,inter alia, to the tuberculin test are currently being reviewed by an EU Council working group. It is not possible at this stage to predict the outcome of these deliberations.

The number of TB reactors disclosed in 1997 was 28,647 of which 8,650 or 30.2 per cent showed visible lesions at slaughter. However, I must emphasise that the absence of visible lesions in the other reactor animals does not mean that the disease was not present in these animals.

In 1997, £14.6 million in compensation was paid to farmers in respect of bovine TB by way of reactor grants, depopulation grants and income supplement. An additional £0.704 million was paid to herdowners under the hardship grant scheme resulting from TB and/or brucellosis breakdowns between 1996 and 1997.

When a reactor has been identified on a farm it is tagged and given disease specific identification. Slaughter premises tender for reactor animals on a weekly basis. These reactor animals are removed under permit from the farm and transported to the factory by the reactor collection service.

On arrival at the slaughter premises, these reactor animals are marshalled and slaughtered separately from non-reactor animals. They are subjected to detailed ante and post-mortem examination by departmental veterinary inspectors in accordance with Council Directive 91/497 EEC relating to health matters affecting intracommunity trade.