Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 2

Written Answers. - Animal Diseases.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

97 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the budget for the general disease control and eradication subhead in the Book of Estimates has been cut by 46% for 2004; his views on whether this can be justified in view of the ongoing extent of BSE and other animal diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29201/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Significant progress in the control and eradication of BSE over the past year and the transfer of some costs to the industry have led to a reduction in the budgetary requirements for general disease control in 2004. This provision, at €80.455 million, represents a reduction of €68 million on the 2003 allocation and reflects the results of the proactive application of BSE control measures since the emergence of the disease in Ireland in 1989.

In particular, enhanced measures in the control and processing of meat and bonemeal and a ban on the use of specified risk material introduced in 1996 and 1997 respectively have had a significant effect on the exposure of cattle to infective material. The result of these efforts is that the number of BSE cases discovered in 2003 to date, 168, is 46% less than the number of cases discovered in the corresponding period last year, 313.

More importantly, however, there has been a significant shift in the age profile of positive animals. Less than 2% of cases diagnosed in 2003 to date and in 2002 were less than six years old at the time of diagnosis, compared with 16% in 2001 and 40% in the year 2000. This clear evidence that the age profile of BSE positive animals is increasing allows us to predict with confidence that the number of BSE cases will continue to decline in 2004 and thereafter, as older animals leave the system. The change in the number of BSE cases will have a beneficial effect not only in terms of the reduced direct burden on public finances but it should also assist in protecting and further developing our beef markets in the EU and elsewhere and in helping to protect farm incomes into the future.

The 2004 allocation also reflects a decision to end Exchequer funding of meat and bonemeal related costs and for BSE testing at meat plants during 2004. More than 1.7 million such tests, almost entirely funded by the taxpayer, have been carried out at slaughter plants since the programme of active surveillance began in 2001. During 2003, costs of testing male animals and younger females were transferred to the industry. The subsidy paid on testing these animals will be reduced from €10.50 to €8 from 1 January 2004, in line with the reduction in EU co-funding for such tests. The full cost of testing older cows will continue to be carried by the Department until mid-year, when the State contribution will be terminated. EU co-funding of €8 per test for these older animals will continue to be passed on to the industry thereafter. Exchequer funding of meat and bonemeal related costs was discontinued from June 2003.