Vol. 561 No. 3
10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with regard to the cases of BSE discovered in animals born after the ban on meat and bonemeal was imposed, that those animals were born after the actual date on which the ban came into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3859/03]
The feeding of meat and bonemeal to ruminants was banned in 1990. I assume the Deputy's question refers to cases of BSE in animals born after enhanced control measures in relation to meat and bonemeal, specified risk materials and the processing of mammalian waste was introduced in October 1996 and February and March 1997 respectively. A total of five animals diagnosed with BSE were born in 1997 and two were born in 1999. Having examined the relevant records my Department is satisfied as to the ages of these animals.
Despite these cases, the underlying trend in relation to BSE is extremely encouraging. The age profile of animals confirmed with the disease is increasing, and this illustrates the effect the controls introduced in 1996 and 1997 had on the rate of exposure. In 2002, less than 2% of cases were identified in animals less than six years old at the time of diagnosis, compared with 16% in 2001 and 40% in 2000. The increasing age profile of animals in which the disease is confirmed is a positive indication that these additional controls are having the desired effect and that the incidence of BSE will continue to decline as older animals leave the system.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the figures for the current week which indicates a positive trend. I hope it continues. However, there are concerns about the fact that a number of animals have been infected which were born after the ban was imposed. Will the Minister indicate if he has up-to-date information on the reasons they were identified as positive with BSE? It is worrying that while younger animals have been infected, there is no report on the reasons for this.
I appreciate Deputy Upton's interest in and knowledge of this matter and her constructive approach. BSE is a very difficult problem and a full understanding of the causative agents are not yet fully known. While the age profile of infected animals is increasing and the figures are falling in relative terms and while active surveillance has been introduced in the past 18 months, isolated cases involving younger animals will arise. Two such cases involving animals born in 1999 were discovered last year. One of the cases was notified by a veterinary surgeon as a result of compulsory notification rules, while the other was detected when it was tested for the disease as part of a herd cohort of a BSE positive animal. Both cases were detected long before the animals could have entered the human food chain. Their early detection illustrates the effectiveness of the multi-layered control system.
While both animals were discovered in the same geographic area and were approximately the same age, even though they were different animal breeds, we are continuing to extensively investigate the matter. However, it is too early for my experts to tell me that they have conclusive evidence or proof of reasons they should become infected.
Given the lower numbers and what is happening in other European countries, will the Minister justify the slaughter of all animals in a herd where one animal has been discovered? Animals from other jurisdictions are being imported into the country and they could have other types of disease. It would be less dangerous for us to at least retain the one and two year old animals, if not all the herd, except for the birth cohorts of the animals concerned.
Will the Minister confirm that every possible measure is being taken to control the disease? What other measures, if any, would he advocate if the financial resources were available?
It is my personal view that beef is the safest possible food to eat, although it is not possible to have a zero risk attaching to any food or drink. The controls in place include the removal of the risk material from the human food chain, compulsory notification of the disease, ante and post mortem inspections at all plants, whole herd depopulation, tracing and culling of birth cohorts and a ban on the feeding of meat and bonemeal. There is now a comprehensive, active surveillance programme, which means that even fallen animals going into knackeries or being turned to meat and bonemeal are subjected to the Enfer test since it was validated. As scientific knowledge becomes available to us, we immediately introduce any change that can be made. I am hopeful and bordering on being confident that, as the older animals are washed out of the system, we will eliminate this disease in the next couple of years. However, I am sometimes disappointed by cases that arise. In a recent one, a particular cow was almost 20 years of age. I do not know why people hold on to cows for that length of time because older animals are more prone to diseases like this.
We have a different problem than most other countries in that, for trade purposes, we need certification and we need to do extra—
To Egypt?
To anywhere we can get an outlet. I know it is tough on herd owners if just one animal goes down in an act of surveillance or cohort circumstances and the entire herd has to be depopulated. We are continuing to monitor the problem, especially in light of the decreasing numbers. If the scientists at home and abroad make a case to me, I will listen to it.
