Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
17 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the case of a BSE-infected cow born from a dairy herd in County Meath after the introduction of strict feed controls in 1996 to 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/04]
View answerI am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. It involved a Friesian cow born in April 1998 which was identified on a farm in County Meath. The animal had been bought from a farm in County Cavan and had been born in April 1998.
Epidemiological investigations are undertaken in regard to the feeding regimes of all herds in which BSE is identified. Particular attention is paid to herds in which cases born after the feed controls were reinforced in 1996 and 1997 are confirmed. The investigation of this particular case is ongoing.
Within the context of the overall picture, the diagnosis of BSE in a small number of animals born after 1997 is to be expected. We had always foreseen the likelihood that occasional, individual cases which may often relate to factors particular to the specific farms in question and which deviate from the mainline trend would from time to time arise as the incidence of the disease in the national herd recedes. There is, however, no basis for suspecting that this case is indicative of either a systemic failure in controls or of a change in the overall positive trend in relation to BSE in Ireland.
The shift in age profile of BSE cases as well as a reduction in case numbers indicates that the additional controls introduced in 1996-97 have been effective in significantly reducing the exposure of animals born after 1997 to the infectious agent. In 2003, 99% of all BSE cases were diagnosed in animals born in 1997 and earlier years. In addition, a 45% reduction in case numbers was observed when compared to 2002. It is expected that the incidence of disease will continue to decline as cows born prior to 1998 leave the system.
