Paul McGrath
Question:30 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation regarding the discovery of scrapie in a sheep flock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14056/02]
Written Answers. - Scrapie Incidence.
A combination of factors, including in particular its increasing profile as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in the same family of diseases as BSE, has led to a more proactive approach to the eradication of scrapie from the national flock.
Against this background, and on the basis of continued scientific uncertainty about the effectiveness of alternative strategies for dealing with the disease, flocks in which a case of scrapie is confirmed are being depopulated. In addition, those whose flocks are depopulated will not be permitted to re-stock with sheep for a period of two years from the date of depopulation. This policy is accompanied by a compensation package covering the capital cost of the sheep depopulated, and loss of profit for the period of two years during which re-stocking with sheep is not permitted, and for the third year in which re-stocking may commence.
For the present, it is intended to continue to depopulate flocks in which scrapie is diagnosed. In 2002, however, this policy is being accompanied by a far more intensive active surveillance programme comprising a minimum of 45,000 rapid tests for scrapie at slaughterhouses and 4,500 tests at fallen animal collection centres. This will assist us in determining the incidence of scrapie and its geographical distribution, and will, along with any developments at EU level in the interim, provide the basis for a review of the present policy later this year.
Apart altogether from any human health concerns that may or may not exist, the presence of scrapie in the national flock is a very considerable issue for the sheep sector. It is therefore clearly in the interests of the sector that everything possible is done to eradicate the disease. While breeding for genetic resistance might well be the best option when and if the science is clarified, for the present it remains the case that national policy will focus on a multi strand approach of additional surveillance, depopulation where appropriate, and the continuation of research into the value of genotyping on an experimental basis.