Dan Neville
Question:24 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that the brucellosis epidemic, which has seriously affected herds in County Limerick, is addressed. [5193/98]
Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.
Michael Creed
Question:29 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will amend the law so that his Department can compel herd owners to depopulate herds in view of the increasing incidence of brucellosis throughout the country. [5115/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 29 together.
Under the new measures which I announced on 26 February 1998 to address the serious brucellosis position in the country, the following arrangements will apply to combat the disease.
From 23 February 1998 all female cattle and bulls over 12 months of age being moved into or out of holdings — other than direct to a slaughter premises — must have passed a blood test within 30 days preceding the date of movement. From the same date, bulls over 12 months and female cattle over 18 months of age may not be sold more than once, whether by public or private sale on foot of a brucellosis test, and such cattle being sold must be moved from the holding where tests are undertaken direct to either the purchaser's holding or direct to a mart and from there direct to the purchaser's holding. There will be a full round of blood testing for all eligible cattle in 1998 to augment and complement existing arrangements including monthly milk ring testing and further enhancement of the eradication measures applying in areas with a high incidence, including areas in County Limerick, and in particular the completion of a full round of blood testing of all eligible animals in these areas over the next two months. Revamped administrative procedures will be implemented in my Department's local offices to deal more effectively with herds with brucellosis reactors and those contiguous to such herds.
Arrangements will be put in place to speed up the completion of blood tests, the improved notification of results, the early removal of reactors and steps will be taken to improve detection of irregularities.
Increased epidemiology work will be carried out by my Department's veterinary staff and a review of the epidemiology of brucellosis over recent years by the investigation unit headed by Professor Dan Collins.
There will be an ongoing and intensive awareness-advisory campaign to update farmers and others on farm husbandry and management practices to curtail the spread of brucellosis, the early introduction of further legislation on aspects relating to trading and tracing of cattle movements, and on registration of all those engaged in cattle trading and a restructured and revamped compensation regime.
These additional measures which I have introduced following consultation with the Animal Health Forum are essential to redress the deteriorating situation in relation to brucellosis and to protect human and animal health and our trading status in relation to livestock and livestock products. I am satisfied following discussions in the Animal Health Forum that all concerned — farmers, the veterinary profession and marts — will co-operate fully with my Department to ensure that the comprehensive range of measures now in place will help to bring about a reduction in the level of brucellosis and the eventual eradication of the disease from the national herd.
As regards depopulations, it should be borne in mind that these involve the removal to slaughter of cattle which have not reacted under the standard tests. The present voluntary arrangements operate satisfactorily except in a small number of cases generally where herdowners are not saitisfied with the compensation arrangements available. While I do not currently have plans to introduce legislation to provide for the compulsory depopulation of herds, this is being kept under review.