Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Bovine Disease Controls.

Michael Ring

Question:

359 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of suspected BSE infected animals buried under licence from his Department for each year since 1997 to date in 2000; and the location of the burial sites in each county. [24722/00]

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

From 1989 until recently, suspect BSE animals have been buried on-farm under licence and under supervision of Department personnel. In the light of the risk to public health caused by the removal of a carcase in County Galway the practice was discontinued from last week. The number of suspected BSE infected animals buried under licence from my Department for each year since 1997 is as follows: 1997, 189; 1998, 185; 1999,197; and 2000, to date, 258.

Less than half of these animals, 348, were confirmed as having BSE.

I have already indicated that I do not consider it appropriate to publish the precise locations of burials in each county, which would entail the publication of the name and address of every farmer in whose herd a BSE suspect animal was found. I am, however, prepared to make available on a confidential basis, and at the request of each county manager, the locations of burials in the relevant county for the purpose of facilitating local authorities in allaying local concerns which in this context might be addressed to them.

Michael Ring

Question:

360 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the outcome of his meeting with officials from Galway County Council regarding the burial of a suspected BSE infected animal in the county. [24723/00]

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

Officials from my Department had a constructive meeting with Galway County Council on Tuesday, 31 October to discuss the issue of the burial of BSE suspect animals. The meeting had been arranged several days earlier. In the course of the meeting, the Department indicated that while the burial of such animals was not the Department's preferred option for disposal and ultimate destruction, there had been no alternative in the absence of incineration or other suitable facilities. However, burial had, in all cases, been conducted under licence and veterinary supervision and was subject to a number of safeguard conditions.

It was also explained that the Department accepted in principle the recommendation of the published BSE scientific advisory committee report that the practice of burying BSE suspects should cease and pointed out that the report also recommended that effective incineration facilities for carcases of BSE suspects should be provided as a matter of priority. There were well publicised difficulties in advancing any incineration project in Ireland and the implementation of this recommendation was, therefore, fraught with difficulties. The efforts which the Department has been making to secure a satisfactory means of disposal and ultimate destruction as an alternative to burial were outlined to the council.

Finally, the Department expressed an appreciation of the concerns which had been outlined by the council in relation to this matter and both sides agreed to co-operate in addressing concerns specific to County Galway in this particular context.