Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2007
754 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans, in view of the improved brucellosis position here, to protect this situation with the implementation of controls in relation to imported animals from regions where the disease is prevalent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14512/07]
View answerThe incidence of Brucellosis has been falling progressively in recent years. For example, the number of laboratory positives has fallen from 6,417 in 1998 to 212 in 2006. The total number of animals slaughtered under the eradication programme fell from 29,778 to 388 during the same period. There has been a similar decline in the number of herds depopulated from 328 in 1998 to 3 in 2006.
The success of the eradication scheme and the progress achieved to date is due to a number of factors including continued co-operation from all parties with the eradication regime, the rapid depopulation of infected herds, the tightening up on illegal cattle movements through the Cattle Movement Monitoring System, the regulation of dealers, prosecutions for breaches and the imposition of penalties for failures to comply with animal disease and identification regulations.
With regard to imports, trade in live animals within the European Union is governed by EU Directive 64/432/EEC which, inter alia, requires imported animals to have come from officially brucellosis free herds and, in particular, that brucellosis eligible animals must have been tested negatively for brucellosis in the 30 days prior to leaving the herd of origin. It is not open to my Department to unilaterally impose controls on imports from other Member States.
Farmers have, of course, an important role to play in protecting their own herds from disease. In view of the improvement in the brucellosis situation, it is more important than ever that farmers continue to adopt appropriate replacement policies and implement effective bio-security measures on their premises. I would emphasise that, if farmers have to buy in any replacement stock, they should do so from known sources. This applies particularly to some calves and young female stock which can carry Brucellosis without showing any signs and without it showing up in blood tests until they calve or abort later in the herd.
With regard to imports from Northern Ireland, close co-operation exists between my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland in relation to trade in cattle and the eradication of brucellosis. My Department has increased its surveillance on cross border trade and, in particular, on cows slaughtered in factories close to the border. Northern Ireland imports are tested for Brucellosis post import.
I place a high priority in maintaining Ireland's high status in relation to animal health and welfare in the context of protecting consumers and in view of the economic and social importance of agriculture to the country. It remains essential that we anticipate wherever possible and maintain the capability of dealing effectively with any threats in this area, from wherever they emerge. A comprehensive approach to these threats involves ongoing surveillance and the continued operation of schemes to reduce and eventually eradicate diseases of significant importance, such as TB and Brucellosis. With regard to Brucellosis, I am confident that this progress achieved to date can be maintained into the future and that the goal of eradication is now a realistic prospect. I am grateful for the co-operation of all of the parties who have contributed to this success and I look forward to their continued co-operation in the eradication of a disease which has created so much difficulty for many farmers over the years.
