Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 3

Written Answers. - Bovine Disease Controls.

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

My Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland are undertaking a feasibility study of a targeted cull of older animals originating from certain geographic regions. As this study has not been concluded, I am unable to speculate as to the outcome.

I should point out that at present all slaughtered animals over 30 months of age, together with fallen animals and casualty animals over 24 months of age, which would be included in a cull of the kind envisaged by the Deputy, are tested for BSE in any event. It is also the case that a substantial number of cows are being slaughtered under the EU special purchase scheme.

While the number of BSE cases in 2001 is greater than last year's total, no case has been confirmed in any animal born after May 1996. In addition, the number of five year old cases detected to date this year – 32 to date – is well down on last year's level. This is an indication that the additional control measures adopted from 1996 onwards are having the desired effect and that the disease is beginning to work its way out of the system.