Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
7 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation with regard to introducing an effective scheme to deal with Johne’s disease which was promised following the ceasing of the procedure operating up to January 2003. [29215/04]
View answerThe approach taken by my Department to Johne's disease until early 2003, that is, to slaughter the affected animals and on occasion other animals in the herd, and pay compensation, did not prove effective in containing the disease. That approach was therefore dispensed with and a strategic review of the approach to tackling the disease was initiated. It is clear that nothing less than a fully integrated strategy involving all the relevant stakeholders, with each playing a defined role, will be effective. Accordingly, the review has involved consultation with all relevant interests. The process generated several useful proposals of a practical nature.
It is also clear that effectively tackling the problem of Johne's disease can be achieved only over a number of years. The strategy being developed will therefore involve both short-term and long-term elements. My Department, in conjunction with others, is working on finalising several short-term elements and will shortly be consulting stakeholders on them. Once that has been done, I intend that all elements of the new national strategy will quickly be drawn together. In recognition of the fact that research and the evaluation of a number of diagnostic and screening methods for Johne's disease and the interim provision of diagnostic support at the central veterinary research laboratory will be a feature of any effective national strategy, funding was allocated for that purpose in 2004. I am fully mindful of the need to have an effective and properly co-ordinated approach to deal with the disease.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. When will we see the national strategy on this disease in place? There are substantial economic implications for farms that pick it up. The Minister of State said that funding had been set aside in 2004. Given the Estimate, which has been cut by 9%, will funding be available in 2005 to deal with this issue specifically?
As part of the Johne's disease review, a short-term strategy involving a training and information seminar for interested private veterinary practitioners was held in January to generate increased awareness among farmers, farm advisers and veterinary surgeons. Teagasc, ICOS and Veterinary Ireland together with the Department organised a series of workshops for veterinary practitioners. The Department's medium-term strategy involves research that will include measures such as the evaluation of a number of diagnostic screening methods for Johne's disease. A sum of €240,000 has been allocated for this purpose in 2004 and the Department's Estimate will not be cut back in this area in 2005.
I am glad to hear it.
I am concerned about the surveillance of the disease, which was first identified in Ireland in 1992. The number of cases initially was small, according to the Minister of State's reply to earlier questions. However, the number has increased over the years and we do not want a repeat of the BSE scare. Are there areas in which the disease is more prevalent? Is it more prevalent among certain breeds? What surveillance data are available? What is known about the epidemiology of the disease?
There is no trend in the occurrence of the disease in any area. A survey programme to determine the prevalence of Johne's disease in the national herd is being carried out and that is why the money is being made available.
