Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:33 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to review existing controls to curb the spread of BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8836/03]
Written Answers - Bovine Disease Controls.
The BSE control and eradication measures in Ireland are among the most comprehensive in the world and are designed to protect public and animal health, to eradicate the diseases and to protect trade. The value of these measures can be seen in the positive underlying trend in relation to BSE. In the period from January to March 2003, the number of cases was 69 compared with 118 in the corresponding period in 2002 which represents a reduction of 42%.
In addition, the age profile of cases detected continues to increase. In 2002 some 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. To date in 2003, no cases have been confirmed in animals under six years of age. The increasing age profile of animals in which the disease is confirmed is a positive indication that the enhanced controls introduced in 1996 and 1997 are having the desired effect and that the incidence of BSE will continue to decline as older animals leave the system.
These positive trends have not, however, given rise to any complacency. It is necessary that we will continue to insist on the strict application of measures to control and eradicate BSE. Most of these measures, such as compulsory notification, the ban on meat and bone meal, active surveillance for BSE in factories and knackeries, the ban on permitting specified risk materials to enter the human food or animal feed chains and the slaughter of cohorts and progeny of BSE-infected animals are now required by EU law although a number of them were being applied in Ireland long before they became compulsory at EU level. Others, such as whole herd depopulation, are optional and based on national rules.
BSE control and eradication measures are kept under constant review and are enhanced and made more cost efficient in the light of oper ational experience, scientific knowledge and changing circumstances. Any adjustments, which this ongoing process indicates as necessary will of course be made. However, while trends in BSE in this country are now manifestly positive and the disease is being successfully tackled in other EU member states also, we are still some considerable way from the point at which BSE prevention programmes at either national or EU levels could be phased out.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 6.
Question No. 35 answered with Question No. 12.