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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 4

Other Questions. - Bovine Diseases.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

117 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of BSE cases identified here in 2003 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25582/03]

A total of 157 cases of BSE have been confirmed to date in 2003, including one case from a depopulated herd. In addition, depopulation measures were applied in a further three cases where animals tested positive on the screening test but where it was not possible to confirm the result because of the condition of the sample. The number of confirmed cases this year represents a reduction of more than 45% on the corresponding period in 2002 when 284 cases, including two cases from depopulated herds, were confirmed.

To date this year, all but two cases were in animals born prior to 1997 while nine of the total number of confirmed cases were in animals born after 1996. In both 2002 and 2003, some 2% of cases were identified in animals aged six years or less at the time of diagnosis, compared with 16% and 40% in that category in 2001 and 2000, respectively. The overall trend, therefore, provides confidence in the effectiveness of the control measures. The increasing age profile of animals in which the disease is confirmed and the declining numbers of BSE cases are positive indications that the enhanced controls introduced in 1996 and 1997 are having the desired effect and that the incidence of BSE will continue to decline in 2004 and later years as older animals leave the system. The various control measures will continue to be rigorously enforced and will be the subject of continuous review in light of scientific developments.

Can the Minister offer a view on when this country can expect to have BSE free status again? In light of some worrying developments in Italy and Japan, with new strains of BSE emerging, is there still investment in research into BSE in this country?

The important issue is that the numbers continue to reduce, as has happened each year and especially this year. This is most encouraging and we anticipate that this country could be BSE free in the not too distant future. Obviously there will always be incidents such as the incidence of the disease in an animal in Japan which was most unexpected. All sorts of things happen but we are confident in that regard. The other important issue is the age profile. The age profile has changed dramatically and this gives us serious confidence that the country will be BSE free.

The reduction in the number of BSE cases is welcome news. Does the Minister believe that the full culling of a herd will continue or does he anticipate a situation where only the affected animal in a herd will be culled?

These matters are constantly under review in the Department. One must bear in mind the huge amount of agricultural produce that is exported by this country. It is in our interest that we maintain the highest standards and for that reason we have a policy of depopulation of herds where BSE occurs. I accept the point made by Deputy Brady. It is something we keep under continuous review. As scientific developments occur, these matters will be considered. As of now, however, the policy remains in place because of the importance of the export market for our agricultural produce.

I support the point made by Deputy Brady. For a long time I have been calling for a re-examination of this policy. It does not make sense that a herd is depopulated when one animal with BSE is discovered but it is not when there is a serious problem with TB. In 1989, a law was passed in this House to impose a ban on the use of meat and bonemeal. It shows how important it is to implement a law once it is passed. That law was not implemented until 1996. Does the Minister agree that if the law introduced by the then Minister, former Deputy O'Kennedy, had been implemented in 1989, we would not have this problem today?

Is there still a connection between feeding meat and bonemeal to livestock and the incidence of BSE?

Does the Minister agree that there is no scientific evidence to support the current policy of depopulating the herd? Other countries which also export agricultural produce, such as Denmark, operate a limited cull.

Our regulations are implemented on the basis of the best scientific advice available. That is the advice we have been given and it contradicts the point made by the Deputy. The controls have been in place since 1989 but on foot of the scientific advice we got in 1996, the additional controls were implemented. All Members will agree that everything we have done to control BSE over the last number of years has been proved correct. The figures speak for themselves and the product we sell abroad is positive proof of it. The markets, which have never been as good as they are now, are satisfied that the standards we operate in Ireland are the highest. That gives us an advantage over other countries that are operating the regime the Deputy mentioned. It is in the interests of our food industry and our exports to have that advantage.

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