Vol. 559 No. 1
170 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason there are inconsistencies occurring in his Department's veterinary policy in relation to scrapie in sheep where co-lambing flocks to confirmed scrapie positive flocks are not being restricted on notification of co-lambing status. [25816/02]
A combination of factors, including in particular its increasing profile as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy – TSE – in the same family of disease as BSE, has led to a more pro-active approach to the eradication of scrapie from the national flock. It is, however, important to say at the outset that there is as yet no scientific evidence to connect scrapie with any human health disorder.
In this regard, taking into account the interests of the Irish sheep sector, possible outcomes to ongoing scientific research and on the basis of veterinary advice, it was decided to de-populate all flocks which had a case of scrapie since 1 January 1999. The flockowners concerned are not permitted to re-stock with sheep for a period of two years from the date of depopulation. My Department has, by agreement with IFA, put in place a package which provides appropriate compensation for those affected. This package was adjusted to reflect market realities, again by agreement with IFA, in September 2002.
The consequences for farmers whose sheep flocks are affected by scrapie are serious. In each case my Department conducts an epidemiological investigation to determine the possible source of the disease and the flocks at risk from infectivity. Decisions on the restriction and depopulation of flocks are taken on the basis of expert veterinary advice which, within general policy parameters, takes account of any mitigating veterinary circumstances in each case. I can assure the Deputy that such decisions are not taken lightly, and that my Department will continue to operate the scrapie depopulation scheme in a manner which best protects the interests of both consumers and the sheep sector as a whole.
171 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason there are inconsistencies occurring in his Department's veterinary policy in relation to scrapie in sheep where co-lambing flocks to confirmed scrapie positive flocks are not being restricted on notification of co-lambing status while in other situations now confirmed flocks are been de-populated. [25817/02]
A combination of factors, including in particular its increasing profile as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy – TSE – in the same family of disease as BSE, has led to a more pro-active approach to the eradication of scrapie from the national flock. It is however important to say at the outset that there is as yet no scientific evidence to connect scrapie with any human health disorder.
In this regard, taking into account the interests of the Irish sheep sector, possible outcomes to ongoing scientific research and on the basis of veterinary advice, it was decided to depopulate all flocks which had a case of scrapie since 1 January 1999. The flockowners concerned are not permitted to re-stock with sheep for a period of two years from the date of depopulation. My Department has, by agreement with IFA, put in place a package which provides appropriate compensation for those affected. This package was adjusted to reflect market realities, again by agreement with IFA, in September 2002.
The consequences for farmers whose sheep flocks are affected by scrapie are serious. In each case my Department conducts an epidemiological investigation to determine the possible source of the disease, and the flocks at risk from infectivity. Decisions in relation to the restriction and depopulation of flocks are taken on the basis of expert veterinary advice which, within general policy parameters, takes account of any mitigating veterinary circumstances in each case. I can assure the Deputy that such decisions are not taken lightly, and that my Department will continue to operate the scrapie de-population scheme in a manner which best protects the interests of both consumers and the sheep sector as a whole.
