Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 4

Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

58 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason persons will not be compensated for animals who contract Johne's disease in view of the fact that it is a notifiable disease; if such a disease is hereditary; the precautions farmers should take to keep the disease out of their herds; the control measures in place nationally to prevent the spread of this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11225/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Johne's disease, which has a worldwide distribution, is caused by infection with mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, MAP, and most cattle are generally infected early in life by ingestion of MAP through colostrum, milk, faecal contaminated teats, water, feeds or surfaces. Adult animals can become infected but it is rare, and they usually have other problems such as deficiencies with their immune system.

Typically, most cases develop clinical signs between the ages of two and six years with the onset of clinical symptoms being precipitated by intensive farming systems, acid soils, poor nutrition, stress related transport, lactation, calving and immunosupression by other biological agents such as bovine virus diarrhoea, BVD, or by deficiency of essential elements. The disease can cause significant animal production and welfare problems. There is no satisfactory treatment and the majority of animals showing clinical symptoms will eventually die of the disease.

In an effort to raise awareness and to promote higher standards of hygiene management practices and calf rearing, my Department published two booklets in 2002 on Johne's disease; one of these is aimed at the farmer and the other at the private veterinary practitioner. All farmers with breeding animals received a copy of the booklet by post during 2002. These booklets detail the precautions individual farmers should take to keep the disease out of their herds and highlight that effective control measures all centre on the individual farmer's calf rearing practices. These booklets are currently available at each of my Department's district veterinary offices and can also be viewed on the Department's website. In addition, it would be prudent for any prospective purchaser to seek private certification of freedom from Johne's disease from a vendor of cattle either imported from abroad or sourced within this country. This will protect the purchasing herdowner and his-her animals and I would urge herdowners generally to take such a precaution when purchasing cattle.

The numbers of reported cases of the disease in this country have increased significantly in recent years. It is apparent that the regime which has been in place since 1955 is no longer effective in dealing with the issue and I believe that a new and more resolute approach is now required. It is clear that the prospects of success on this front are very much dependent on a concerted and sustained effort by all of the interested parties, including farmers, co-operatives, the veterinary profession, breed societies, advisory bodies and others, including my Department, to address the disease.

Until recently, measures taken by my Department have included the purchase and slaughter of diseased animals, and in some rare cases entire herds. While the disease is notifiable, there is no obligation on the State under the provisions of the Johne's Disease Order 1955 to purchase and slaughter animals affected by Johne's disease. However, the current disease situation has led, as I have already indicated, to the conclusion that our historical approach, has not contained the disease and that expenditure on the purchase-slaughter of animals no longer generates a worthwhile return. Therefore, in mid-January 2003, a decision was taken to cease the practice of purchase and slaughter and to commit to an overall review of our approach to dealing with this issue.

That review essentially involves examining and agreeing ways in which the resources of all interested parties can be marshalled so as to give a new direction and momentum to efforts to tackle Johne's disease in the national herd. As a first step in formulating a new approach, my Department is arranging a comprehensive round of meetings over the month of May with key interests. This process will be worthwhile in gaining a general recognition and understanding of the problem, securing an acceptance that success is achievable only if all concerned make a sustained commitment to tackle the problem and indicating the role which each party can most usefully play within an integrated and more effective policy approach. Arising from this round of meetings, my Department will draw together the various outputs and will bring the matter to the next stage of policy formulation. I am anxious that a new approach to tackling the problem of Johne's disease be put in place with the minimum of delay so that we can begin to make some headway in dealing with the problem and my Department will be guided by this consideration.