Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 4

Written Answers. - Bovine Disease Controls.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

47 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans under way in his Department to introduce an active surveillance of the national herd to evaluate the true levels of BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The European Commission has decided that with effect from 1 January 2001, all member states must engage in a programme of targeted active surveillance for BSE. Their intention is to ensure that all member states, including those where no animals infected with BSE have been detected to date, engage in similar surveillance measures.

In Ireland, a comprehensive range of BSE control and eradication measures operate, and these have been reviewed on numerous occasions by the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission. Notwithstanding this, I have decided to initiate a targeted active surveillance programme in Ireland this year in order to further reinforce our existing controls and to give a clear signal to the Commission, to other member states and to third country markets of our firm intention to take every measure necessary to protect public health and to eradicate the disease.

My Department will, therefore, commence a pilot scheme of surveillance in the very near future to identify and iron out any logistical difficulties arising. My intention is to launch the full programme of testing following completion of the pilot programme.