Vol. 536 No. 3
166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the status of the bovine tuberculosis eradication programme; if he is satisfied that adequate measures are being taken to eliminate the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14330/01]
While the bovine tuberculosis eradication programme operated by my Department is extremely comprehensive, progress towards final eradication has been disappointing. It is now accepted by veterinary experts that the primary constraint on containing and eradicating bovine tuberculosis is the existence of a significant reservoir of infection among the wildlife population.
Under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the Government has agreed to commit specific staff resources in each district veterinary office – DVO – to carry out investigative work into the causes of breakdowns. In addition, a research programme involving disciplines in zoology, microbiology, immunology and pathology is in place. A wildlife removal project and a vaccine development project are among the scientific work being carried out. The veterinary epidemiology and tuberculosis investigation unit, based in the veterinary college, investigates the factors which militate against the eradication of tuberculosis in cattle at national or regional levels and identifies means of improving the current rate of eradication.
Due to the recent foot and mouth disease situation, the annual round test of each herd in the State was postponed in line with decisions taken to allow only essential farm visits. However, consequential testing, such as reactor retests, contiguous tests, etc, were allowed to continue. The annual round test is now being relaunched and it is expected that, with the co-operation of all concerned, a full programme will be completed this year.
In other member states, the bovine TB eradication programmes that are co-financed by the EU are approved each year by the standing veterinary committee and monitored by the EU Commission. These and other programmes are governed by the level of disease in the area and the requirement to comply with the relevant EU trading directives. It is worth noting that the occurrence of TB in certain areas of the UK is also associated with a wildlife reservoir of infection.
167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he is satisfied that the bovine brucellosis eradication programme is successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14331/01]
I am satisfied that the bovine brucellosis eradication programme conducted by my Department is proving to be successful. There are a number of positive factors emerging to indicate that the incidence of the disease is declining and it is hoped that this trend will continue. However, the current level of testing and other control measures must be maintained until such time as total eradication is achieved. The monitoring for brucellosis in the national herd is conducted mainly by way of annual blood testing of all eligible animals in every herd. This is supplemented by a number of other measures to identify occurrence of the disease and to curb its spread.
Due to the recent foot and mouth disease situation the annual round test of each herd in the State was postponed in line with decisions taken to allow only essential farm visits. Consequential testing, such as reactor retests, contiguous tests, etc, were allowed to continue. The annual round test is now being relaunched and it is expected that, with the co-operation of all concerned, a full programme will be completed this year.
The bovine brucellosis eradication programmes in member states that are co-financed by the EU are approved each year by the standing veterinary committee and monitored by the EU Commission. A brucellosis subgroup, on which Ireland is represented, was created in April 2000 to support member states in developing and implementing optimal disease eradication measures.
