Willie Penrose
Question:76 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the percentage of cases of BSE world-wide in 2002 which were discovered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3874/03]
Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.
The number of cases of BSE world-wide reported to the OIE, The World Animal Health Organisation, in 2002 was 1,698. Of these 333 cases or 19.62% were detected in Ireland. However, it should be noted that not all countries have provided up to date information to the OIE and therefore the data listed in its report understates the overall number of cases world-wide for 2002, whereas the case numbers for Ireland are up to date.
It is also important to note in this context that since 1 January 2001, EU rules requiring intensive active surveillance among casualty and fallen stock over 24 months of age and healthy animals over 30 months of age intended for human consumption, have led to a substantial increase in the number of BSE cases detected in the EU. Equivalent surveillance programmes have not been established in third countries.
In Ireland, the general trend of the disease is encouraging in that the age profile of animals confirmed with the disease is increasing. In 2002 some 2%, seven cases, of cases in Ireland were identified in animals less than six years old at the time of diagnosis, compared with 16% in 2001 and 40% in 2000. In addition in the period August-December 2002, the number of cases, including cohort cases, identified, at 122, was down by 32% on the corresponding period of 2001, 179. This trend is continuing in 2003.
The increasing age profile of animals in which the disease is confirmed and the declining numbers are a positive indication that the additional controls introduced in 1996 and 1997 are having the desired effect and that the incidence of BSE will decline as older animals leave the system.