Vol. 542 No. 5
253 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of animals by breed which have been affected by BSE throughout the country to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25304/01]
To date there have been 737 confirmed cases of BSE. The individual breakdown of incidence of BSE by breed is as follows:
|
Friesian |
593 |
|
Hereford |
38 |
|
Simmental |
34 |
|
Charolais |
21 |
|
Limousin |
19 |
|
Aberdeen Angus |
15 |
|
Belgian Blue |
6 |
|
Shorthorn |
4 |
|
Holstein |
3 |
|
Montbeliard |
2 |
|
Musse Rhine Isse |
2 |
|
Total |
737 |
254 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the extent to which research has been carried out into the causes of BSE; if particular breeds are prone to the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25305/01]
A great deal of research has been carried out in the United Kingdom in relation to the cause of BSE. The overwhelming weight of evidence is that the disease is caused by the feeding of concentrate feed contaminated with the infective agent. In Ireland ongoing epidemiological investigation in respect of each case of BSE case identified supports the conclusions of the UK research.
255 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of incidents of BSE detected in the course of the beef destruct scheme; the number of animals slaughtered under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25306/01]
Under the purchase for destruction scheme which operated between the 2 January 2001 and the 30 June 2001, 278,025 animals over 30 months were slaughtered. As animals being slaughtered under the scheme could not be tested, no cases of BSE were detected.
256 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total number, value and cost to the Exchequer of animals slaughtered in the course of the beef destruct scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25307/01]
Under the EU purchase for destruction – PFD – scheme which ended on 30 June last, 278,025 animals were slaughtered at a total cost to date of approximately £198 million. This amount includes purchasing costs of £160 million and expenditure on operating costs, to date, of £38 million. A sum of £77.8 million has already been claimed from the EU under the terms of the co-financing arrangements laid down in the EU regulation governing the scheme. The balance of the EU contribution will be received when the meat and bone meal produced under the scheme is destroyed.
