Vol. 519 No. 4
72 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the extent to which animal health care and disease eradication in this country compares with systems in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13991/00]
Data are not available to compare overall animal health care and disease eradication systems throughout the EU. As regards TB and brucellosis, eradication programmes operated by my Department are conducted in accordance with the provisions of EU Directive 64/432/EEC, as amended. This directive provides for a common approach to disease eradication in all member states having regard to the prevailing levels of the diseases.
All member states are obliged to ensure that the conditions of this directive are complied with, otherwise freedom to trade with other member states can be withdrawn. While a number of member states have successfully eradicated one or both of these diseases, they are nevertheless required, in accordance with this directive, to monitor their national herds at appropriate intervals.
