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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.

Michael Ring

Question:

69 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has made known to the general public all information held within his Department regarding the BSE issue. [1477/01]

Education and training of all those who may be involved with BSE is vitally important and my Department has been actively involved in this. In relation to the dissemination of information of BSE to farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers and butchers, my Department has done its utmost to ensure that all those involved in the industry are well informed. Information leaflets have been made available for distribution to farmers at marts. In addition my Department has produced a video on BSE which is available to veterinary surgeons. The video has also been distributed to all veterinary officials in meat factories, and to factory management, who have been advised to show it to all staff involved in the selection of animals for slaughter. Copies of the video have also been distributed to local authority veterinary inspectors who have responsibility for controls at local authority abattoirs. My Department has made strenuous efforts to keep all of those involved in the industry fully informed and I will continue to treat the provision of appropriate information to those who need it as a priority.

My Department has always dealt with the issue of BSE in as open and transparent manner and has provided information through replies in this House, the Department's website and of course the media on a regular basis. I have already acknowledged the absolute necessity of maintaining public confidence in the beef industry and I have no doubt that the best way to this is to provide the most up to date information available in relation to the controls we implement and in relation to the incidence of the disease in Ireland. I am happy, therefore, to continue to keep the public and the media fully informed in relation to this disease, as I have up to now. The Deputy will be aware that I recently to make available to the media on a weekly basis the relevant BSE statistics which were formerly provided on a monthly basis.

I should point out that a comprehensive range of measures are in place for the control and eradication of BSE, including compulsory notification of the disease, the depopulation of herd mates, birth cohorts and progeny of the infected animals, a ban on the use of meat and bonemeal for farmed animals and the removal and destruction of specified risk materials from ruminant animals. This regime has been independently verified by a number of independent bodies, including the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission and found to be operating effectively. Indeed the conclusions of the EU Commission's geographical risk assessment of member states and third countries last year was that the system operating in Ireland has been optimally stable since 1 January 1998. The Deputy will also be aware that these measures have been supplemented by a programme of targeted active surveillance for BSE among fallen and casualty animals and that all cattle over 30 months entering the food chain are now being tested for BSE. I am satisfied that this range of measures is proving effective and that it provides a sound basis for consumer confidence in beef and for the protection of public health.
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