Vol. 518 No. 6
234 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cattle owned by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare are dying from unknown causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13106/00]
In mid-1999 my Department commenced a programme of investigations into the herd in question on the basis of a protocol for the investigative approach to serious animal health/human health problems. Carcases and samples from the herd have been tested by the central veterinary research laboratory (CVRL) of my Department. While the results of the investigation were not conclusive, there were indications that the mortality and illness in the herd may have been genetic in origin. At the conclusion of that particular phase of investigation in 1999, the herdowner and the private veterinary practitioner were requested to keep the CVRL informed of any recurrence of the problem. To date no further carcasses or specimens have been submitted to the CVRL for testing.
