Vol. 517 No. 3
28 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress, if any, made on identifying confirmed disease outbreaks in animals and herds; the effects of these disease outbreaks on industry particularly the beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7763/00]
A range of monitor ing and surveillance arrangements are in place for a number of bovine diseases such as BSE, tuberculosis, brucellosis, enzootic bovine leukosis – EBL – and Johne's disease.
With regard to BSE, my Department operates a comprehensive range of measures, which have been reviewed by the EU Commission's Food and Veterinary Office, for the eradication and control of BSE and will continue to treat this as a top priority, given its importance in terms of public health and consumer confidence in our beef industry at home and abroad.
Regarding tuberculosis, the position is that some 99.6% of the 10.7 million TB tests carried out last year were clear and consequently the impact on our beef industry is not significant though the testing regime is important in order to retain our freedom to trade status. Similarly, the position regarding brucellosis was that some 99.9% of the 5.5 million serological tests carried out in 1999 were clear.
As regards EBL, monitoring tests of the national herd are undertaken to maintain this country's official freedom from the disease. The incidence of Johne's disease is low in this country as my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 29 March last indicated. This disease is controlled under the Johne's Disease Order of 1955.
