Bovine Diseases.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004

Tuesday, 15 June 2004

Questions (119)

John Cregan

Question:

170 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has plans to facilitate the provision of a vaccine to farmers here whose livelihoods and the welfare of their animals are being seriously threatened by the lack of such a vaccine in view of the increasing incidence of the fatal disease of botulism amongst the cattle population in certain parts of the country; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a vaccine available to farmers in Northern Ireland. [17683/04]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Under relevant EU and national legislation, the initiative to obtain the appropriate authorisation to market any vaccine rests with the sponsoring company. While I am aware that there is currently a vaccine for botulism authorised for use in Northern Ireland, no application has been received in this jurisdiction. In response to suspected cases of botulism in Ireland, my Department has, issued extensive guidelines and advice through district veterinary offices, dairy processors and poultry processors and to the farming community on good farming practices to help prevent the occurrence of the disease.