Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.

Derek McDowell

Question:

60 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he is concerned about a rise in the number of BSE cases here; his views on whether there is any rationale for this rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4236/01]

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

The numbers of confirmed cases of BSE for 2000 should be seen in their proper context both statistically and against the background of the stringent controls that we have in place to deal with BSE itself and to protect consumers.

Notwithstanding the higher numbers last year, I remain satisfied that the comprehensive range of measures we have in place is proving effective. In the first instance, the overall incidence of BSE continues to be extremely low with a total of 145 cases last year in a cattle population in excess of 7.2 million. This compares with a total of more than 177,000 in the UK and a peak of more than 36,000 confirmed cases in that country in 1992 alone, in a cattle population of 12 million. To put our position into perspective, the disease incidence here represents 0.002% of our total cattle population.

The higher number of cases here was foreseen in the recent report of the European Union's Scientific Steering Committee which predicted a temporary increase in numbers for the next couple of years from animals infected prior to the additional measures introduced in 1996 and 1997 taking full effect. That Committee also concluded that the Irish system was ‘optimally stable', from 1998 meaning that the measures in place since then prevent the agent of BSE from re-infecting cattle.

While the predictions of the scientific steering committee in relation to a temporary increase in the numbers of infected animals have been borne out, of more significance, however, is that the increasing age profile of BSE positive animals detected. To date no animals born after 1996 have been detected with BSE, and an increasing proportion of infected animals are six year of age or older. This would appear to bear out the scientific steering committee's conclusion that the Irish control system is ‘optimally stable', meaning that the control measures in place in Ireland prevent the recycling of the BSE agent through ruminant feed. In that context, I recognise that the control measures must be rigorously enforced.