Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bovine Disease Controls.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

19 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the measures available to ensure that bovine breeding stock imported from other EU member states are free of BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4127/01]

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

Harmonised rules adopted at EU level govern the veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable to intra-community trade in live animals. These rules require a range of checks to be carried out and also provide for the imposition of restrictions on, or the banning of, intra-community trade when this is considered necessary for the protection of public health. An example of such a measure is the Commission decision banning the export of bovine animals from the United Kingdom, which remains in place.

There is no test currently available to detect the presence of BSE in a live bovine animal, but all animals consigned for intra-community trade are subjected to a clinical examination within 24 hours of departure to ensure that they are free from disease symptoms. Where a positive animal has been identified in a herd, the authorities in the member state of origin are obliged to take restrictive measures in relation to BSE. As the Deputy is aware a herd slaughter-out programme is in place in Ireland since 1989, and this is also the case in most other member states, thereby ensuring that animals from a known BSE infected herd cannot be traded. To date in Ireland, there have been 604 cases of BSE in 596 herds. Of the 604 cases, 15 were imported animals.

The framework of veterinary checks provided for by harmonised EU rules, the implementation of those rules by my Department and the veterinary services of other member states, together with the constant programme of monitoring and review of public health risk under the aegis of the standing veterinary committee are intended to ensure that animals imported from other member states do not pose risks to the country of destination. However, I must remind the Deputy that the Single Market provides both opportunities and potential risks to Irish farmers. The opportunities involve unhindered access to EU markets, the potential risk includes the possibility of introducing other diseases into Ireland following relaxation of our import controls in 1992.